A/N: Hey everyone, sorry for the long wait but for those of you that are following my tumblr you already know my Niece was Born on Jan 12th so I've been busy helping out and I've just managed to scrounge up some time this last week to finish this chapter for you guys. I'm hoping to get started on Ch.15 soon but I'm driving down to see my godsons and their mommy on Monday with the big ol' family so my friend can meet my niece and all that stuff.

Anyway i really hope you enjoy this chapter and I'm really sorry for mistakes, I'm doing the last bit of editing with the starts of a killer migraine XD yeah, that's how much I love you guys :P no but really I didn't wanna put this off any longer so I'll hopefully see you soon for Ch. 15 and you can go check out my tumblr (angeii-k) for the picture of my niece if you wanna see her :).

Take care,

Angela

PS: Her name is Ellaina or Ellie for short :) but I seem to mostly be calling her Bean and Nugget (I seem to like food nicknames XD)

Chapter 14

Maura stood outside the women's shelter for a couple of minutes rethinking her sudden diction to come before she made up her mind and walked up the stoop then slowly opened the heavy wooden door and slid inside, she glanced around the empty halls until her eyes spotted the edge of a front desk and she quickly made her way down the hall as she tried to bring feeling back to her extremities from the worsening winter chill.

"It's getting pretty bad out there huh?" the lady at the front desk smiled as Maura turned the corner to the desk.

"Yes, it's been quiet chilly these last few days." Maura smiled in return before she buried her hands deep in her pockets again. "I'm here for the support group….do you know where I could find the room they hold it in."

The young woman at the desk smiled as she nodded, "Yeah, it's held in the common; it's down the hall and the second door to the left, you're a little late so the doors probably shut by now but you can just walk right in."

"Okay, thank you." Maura smiled as she looked behind her down the hall and shuffled on her feet a bit, she was feeling unbelievably nervous right now.

"First meeting?" the woman asked and smiled kindly when Maura nodded in reply, "The first ones are always a little nerve wracking but no need to worry, you don't have to speak if you don't want to."

Maura smiled appreciatively at the woman before she nodded to herself and started down the hall 'No going back now, Maura. You can do this.' She thought to herself and before she knew it she was at the door and slowly pushing it open before she peaked her head in to see if she got the right room. A small group of women turned to look at her and Maura blushed slightly before she asked awkwardly,

"Is this the domestic violence support group?"

An older woman at approximately the middle of the small circle smiled kindly at her before she nodded, "It sure is, sweetheart, take a seat anywhere you like in the circle, well anywhere that's free that is."

Some of the women in the small group chuckled at the woman who was obviously running the group and Maura merely smiled politely before she entered the room and took a seat in one of the chairs facing the door and slid off her coat and let it hang over the back of the chair.

"Well, why don't you tell us your name sweetheart?" The woman prompted.

"Uh, I'm Maura." She said shyly as she fiddled with her cast and took in the room as a chorus of "hi Maura" filled up the room but a head of purple hair shooting up caught her attention and she too looked up to see Kit -the young girl she met at the school earlier that day- sitting in a chair across from her and they both smiled at each other once they got over the shock of running into one another here.

"It's nice to meet you, Maura, I'm Tammy, I'm the counselor who organizes this group and I'm here to help any of you out with problems you might have. Is this your first time coming to a support group?" Maura nodded and the woman smiled comfortingly at her, "Well it's nothing to worry about. If you want you can just sit and listen today but don't be shy in speaking up, we are here to help each other so all opinions are appreciated."

Maura nodded again and Tammy smiled before she turned her head to face the group as a whole, "Would anyone like to speak?" she asked and a few hands went up.

Maura sat and listened in silence for a bit, just listening to other people's stories and letting them roll around in her mind as she contemplated her week, her day, her life. She looked around the room at all the face's surrounding her and she just wanted to cry, she wanted to find someone and ask how she ended up here, how she let this all happen, she wanted to scream and hell until an answer emerged, she wanted to cry until the world around her vanished and all that was left was peace. "You're very brave" the words echoed in her mind, she's heard them from everyone she's ever told since the day it happened and before she knew it she was raising her hand to speak, she's not sure why or how but her body could tell she needed to share so now she was sitting in a quiet circle with Tammy smiling at her supportively, and the rest of the group just quietly thinking to themselves or watching her as her thoughts tried to make enough sense in her mind to come out less jumbled and broken.

She let out a long sigh and began, "I don't know what to say, let alone feel. It sucks, I know it does, what he did to me was wrong, I also know that…I know that he should be punished, I know it wasn't my fault, I know I did what I had to do and god, I know I was…am brave…I know all of that because I've spent the last two months hearing it, and no matter how much I might know it as a fact, I don't feel it." She took in a small breath as she focused down at her lap, "I don't feel brave, I feel stupid, I feel broken and not one part of me feels brave or strong…I feel weak, I feel sad. I feel like he took something from me I'll never get back… and honestly I'm not sure I want it back, it… that version of me is long gone, that happy, carefree version of me has been gone for a long time and I'm scared to get that again, to let go completely and have it pulled from me again, to have it ripped from my grasps…I'm scared to be happy, to feel love, to give love because it might go all wrong again and I might lose everything that matters to me; the only things that make me want to wake up in the morning…I'm scared to let go because I'm scared that I might have my heart ripped out of my chest and have to stand there and watch it get crushed in another person's hands because I went and trusted it to the wrong person…I don't want to wake up one day and realize I've made the worst mistake of my life ever again. I don't want to look in the mirror and see nothing but hate…I don't want to see someone that is unworthy and pathetic. I don't want to wake up and think to myself, 'is this the day I die?' ever again…I don't want any of that!" She let out a steadying breath before she continued,

"But I do, I still feel it all. I still feel like tomorrow I'll enter my home, or turn a corner and he'll be there, he will be right there in front of me and that will be it, that will be the end of my freedom, the end of my life." Maura let out a sigh and ran a hand through her hair. "Every day I wake up in the morning and just for a second I think I'm still there, but then I open my eyes and I'm not, I'm safe…I'm in her arms or I see her hair on the pillow next to me, and I'm happy, just for a few seconds… but then, then my brain kicks in and I'm scared again, and not of her, or even my own safety sometimes, I'm scared for her, I'm scared I'll lose her or she'll realize I'm not worth the stress, the time…I'm worried how much I depend on her…I'm worried I'll let her down if she knows what goes on in my head when she's not around, when it's only me and silence… when I only have my thoughts to keep me company, and trust me they aren't usually the good kind of company. They are rude, and painful… and just as abusive as Don was… because they are Don, they are what he said to me, what he made me believe and what he made me feel. I'm scared that if she finds out that in the times she's not talking, or smiling at me, or making me laugh… in the times when she's not holding me in her arms that I'm thinking how worthless, ignorant, ugly… and pathetic I am, that she would leave… that she would agree.

I'm broken and pathetic…I don't deserve her, I…I don't deserve happiness because I'm nothing…I bring people nothing but pain…I don't deserve everything she does for me but I can't stand to lose her, I wouldn't make it through a single day without her… and yet I can't trust her, not fully… because my heart won't let me…. Because I'm scared… and that's ridiculous because I've already trusted her with so much, more than anyone before but I'm scared that if I tell her everything… things I've never admitted to anyone, let alone myself that she will run and take my heart with her…and I can't, I can't let that happen, I would fall apart without her friendship, without the support she's shown me these past couple of weeks…" Maura let out a shaky breath as she wiped a few stray tears from her face and looked up at the group, a group that was smiling at her understandingly, some wiping their own tears from their faces as they took in words that seemed just as similar to ones they've thought before.

A woman at the far end of the circle cleared her throat and most of the group turned to look at her, she was about 40 years old with shoulder length brown hair and a pair of blue eyes that looked like they'd seen hell and made it out of it, sure she was a little broken in the end but she'd made it, the scar along her arm was proof of that much, "I remember thinking that when I first got out, Maura. When I first met my Michael after everything it took me awhile to trust him, even as just a friend but after some time I learnt to trust again -I have some of these ladies to thank for that. It just takes time and work, darling but for now just keep working on trusting this woman if you need her, but don't move too fast, know when to step back and breathe on your own to, you need to be able to help yourself too sometimes 'cause she's not always going to be there when you are upset, not right away at least."

Maura smiled at her in thanks before another woman started talking, "Yeah, Bette's right, you gotta figure out who you are alone but also learn to trust people again."

Maura smiled at the other woman as the rest nodded their heads or mumbled in agreement.

The rest of the group went faster as Maura listened to each woman talk a little more closely while thinking over the advice she was given, advice that she would take and hold close to her. Their words resounding a little louder in her head with each second; reminding her she wasn't alone in this.

And before she knew it Tammy was announcing the group was done and everyone was slowly getting up to get a cup of coffee and talk to the friends they've made over the time they've been coming to the meetings and Maura watched them get up and break off into little groups from where she still sat in the seats. She sat there in silence for a bit until Kit walked over and sat next to her in one of the chairs and held out a bottle of water with a gentle smile on her face.

Maura looked up at the girl and smiled back before she took the bottle and nodded to the young girl as thanks.

"The first meetings are always the hardest. I remember mine, I swear I nearly fell out of my chair from shaking so much." Kit laughed awkwardly before she ran a nervous hand through her hair. "It probably didn't help that my parents dropped me off here to get help but hey, it got better and a whole lot easier."

Maura smiled crookedly at the girl and took the already loosened cap off the bottle and after a quick glance at Kit she knew the young girl did it before she gave her the bottle.

"Thought you might need the help." She laughed nervously again before she twisted in her chair to look at Maura, "I never got to thank you for what you did for me earlier, offering to let me volunteer. It seemed to lighten my punishment a little too, my parents seem to think having me volunteer at a police station might straighten me up a bit."

Maura smiled broadly at Kit, "So they are going to let you volunteer at the office?" Maura asked as she too turned to look at young girl.

"Yeah, my mom was a little worried about where I would be working but after some thought and a little encouragement from my dad she agreed. They said they would call you tomorrow to figure it all out…I hope you don't mind but one of the things that really sold them was knowing I'd be working with someone who understands what I'm going through...what we're going through." Kit finished with a nervous glance at the doctor as she fiddled with the sleeve on her coffee cup.

"I understand, Kit." Maura nodded at her before they drifted off into a slightly awkward silence. "How are you getting home tonight?"

Kit looked over at Maura in surprise before a smile curled the edges of her lips, "My parents are picking me up." Maura nodded slowly in reply, "You did really good today, Maura; you should be proud, it's not always easy to share on the first day."

The correction echoed in Maura's head but she bit her cheek to silence her thoughts and focused on the rest of what the girl said. "Thank you, I wasn't really planning on talking but it just kind of spilt out…I guess it's just been a long week."

Kit nodded in understanding, "I get that. Sometimes we just gotta get it out."

There was a quiet chime from a phone and both looked toward the noise before Kit laughed slightly, "and that would be my parents telling me they're almost here."

"That reminds me, I better call myself a cab." Maura said as she dug for her phone.

"Where do you live? Maybe my parents could give you a lift." Kit offered and Maura shook her head.

"I couldn't ask for that, it's really no problem."

"Okay…" Kit nodded.

Maura smiled at the young girl before she made the call and when she hung up Kit was standing in front of her bobbing on her feet. "How about you at least wait with me." Kit offered, no, she almost begged the doctor.

Maura looked up at the nervous look from the teen and nodded, "Okay, you can stay with me until it comes."

Kit nodded in thanks and held onto the water bottle as Maura gathered her things and handed it back as they made their way out of the room and toward the doors.

Both girls wrapped their jackets a little closer to themselves as they stepped out of the building into the brisk Boston air.

"Remind me to get a scarf." Kit joked as she stepped off the last step and Maura nodded in agreement.

"Yes, it's starting to get colder." Maura said as a chill ran down her spine, "I should really go shopping for some warmer clothing, I left all my other stuff in Wa –"

Kit turned so she was facing Maura and raised an eyebrow but didn't ask, she figured the doctor would tell her everything when she was ready.

"Kit!" Somebody yelled and Maura jumped before they both turned to look toward the noise.

Kit rolled her eyes at her older sister before she hissed back, "I thought I already told you to not go yelling shit around here, you could scare someone half to death."

Her sister raised a hand in apology and leaned toward the window as Kit started to approach the car, "Sorry."

"Where's mom and dad?" Kit asked as she stood in front of the passanger door.

"Dad had to work late and mom was tired so I offered to pick you up after the game."

Kit nodded and looked back at Maura, "Hey, Abby I just gotta wait here for a little longer, Maura is waiting for a cab and I don't want her standing out here all alone."

Abby looked around her sister and standing behind her was a woman standing by the entrance who her little sister was talking to when she arrived. She looked her sister over, (she knew all her tells, they did grow up together and she had been helping out a lot since this all happened) Abby smiled at her and nodded, "No problem, Kit. I was thinking we could pick up some pizza on the way home anyway so I can just order it and we can pick it up on our way back, makes it easier on me." Abby said as she turned off the engine and leaned back in her seat.

Kit smiled gratefully at her big sister before she ran back towards the doctor.

"Hey, Maura come meet my sister." Kit said as she motioned toward Abby.

Maura looked up at the young girl behind the wheel before she slowly followed Kit to the car.

"Abbs, this is Maura, Maura this is my big sister Abby." Kit introduced and Abby looked up from her phone and leaned forward to reach her hand out of the car to shake Maura's hand.

"Nice to meet you." Abby said

Maura smiled as she shook the younger woman's hand. "Nice to meet you too."

Abby laughed and shivered, "Geez, it's way too cold for these uniforms."

Kit shook her head and turned to Maura, "Abby's head cheerleader at our school."

Maura smiled at them, "That's very impressive."

"Yeah, it's fun but it also looks really good on my collage application." Abby laughed as she pulled at the hem of her skirt to make it cover her legs a little more.

"If you are too cold you two can go, I'm sure the taxi will be here any moment."

Kit and Abby both shook their heads at the same time. "Nah, I'm good. I just spent about two hours freezing my ass off on the field for the last game of the season so I can handle a few extra minutes being slightly chilled to make sure you get in your cab okay and to make sure my sister won't be worrying all night."

Kit blushed and Maura smiled at the older sister just as the taxi was pulling up. All three women looked at the cab and Maura shot Abby one last smile before she turned to Kit to say her goodbyes,

"Well, that's for me. I'll see you soon, Kit and I look forward to hearing from your parents this week."

"Yeah, I look forward to working with you, doctor." Kit smiled and turned to get in the car and Maura sent her a small nod before she headed toward the taxi and got in.

"Working with her?" Abby said once her sister shut the car door.

"Yeah, Mom and Dad made an agreement with the principal that I would do some community service helping out in the M.E's office." Kit said with a shrug before she turned on the music in her sister's car and relaxed in her seat.

Abby stared blankly at her for a few moments before she pulled out and headed toward the pizza place to pick up dinner.

Maura pulled out her cellphone as the taxi drove through the city and noticed a text from Jane from about a half hour ago, it read:

"We're taking a break so I thought I'd text to see how you were doing. I hope you are okay for food, I know what your fridge looks like, you know we should really go shopping, Maur. You really don't seem like the 'buy take-out every night' kind of gal, how about after this case? I'm sure we'll get a day or two off after all the hard work we're putting in. So uh txt me when you get this, I'm dying here, Korsak started 'secretly' watching cat videos on youtube 14 minutes ago, I think we've hit the rut, you know the one; where we have at least 20 boxes left to sift through and it's all suuuperrr boring. I mean couldn't they at least have something funny they were trying to hide, like an issue of sexy cats weekly or something, I could really go for some cat's in bikinis right about now, or at least one of your fun facts…seriously lay one on me XD"

Maura laughed at her friend and started typing out a reply and after clicking send she turned on her ringer and put her phone back in her pocket as the cab rolled closer to her house.

Jane was just coming back from the café for a late night coffee and snack run when she heard her phone go off, and with well refined skill from many late night coffee runs in New York she balanced the coffee and treats in one hand as she reached for her phone and slowly walked down the hall.

She smiled when she saw a text from Maura but decided to wait until her hands were free before she read it; so she carefully placed her phone back on her belt and entered the bullpen and tossed the bag of muffins on Korsak's desk, took her coffee from the tray and grabbed a muffin before she sat down at her desk and announced the arrival of refreshments to her partner.

Korsak let out a grunt of recognition and continued reading the file as he reached blindly for his own cup of coffee. Jane chuckled at the older man and simply said, "a lil' to your left." As she took a sip of her own coffee and opened Maura's text.

"Good evening, Jane. Sorry I missed your text I was busy doing something and I didn't hear my phone. I'm sorry you are so bored, I have to admit I don't really understand your sexy cat reference but I would love to go shopping after this case, the weather is getting gruesome and I would like a few proper outfits. Oh and as per your request, here is a "fun fact" (as you would say) the Eucharitidae or more commonly refered to as the Eucharitid wasp is parasitic to many species of ants. Eucharitidae larvae attach themselves to foraging ants, who unknowingly bring them back to the colony where the Eucharitidae larvae feast on the ant larvae until they develop into adults."

Jane let out a hum as she thought over her friend's text and after a few moments she woke up her computer and searched up the insect and let out another hum as she looked at the picture and mumbled to herself, "That is both very pretty and kinda creepy all at the same time."

"What was that, Rizzoli?" Korsak asked as he looked up from his file.

"Nothing, just thinking out loud." Jane answered before she unlocked her phone to send a reply to Maura.

Maura just walked through her door when she heard her phone announce the arrival of a new text message. She pulled out her phone and smiled at the short message from Jane,

"Thanks for that, I think I'll be dreaming about that bug later…it's like something you would see on a major trip [if you were high ;)]. Well I have some more work to do so I'll see you in the morning Doctor. But please call if you need anything, Maur, I'm here for you :). Well! Gotta go Korsak's givin me the stink eye, sweet dreams!"

Maura shook her head before she wrote out a quick reply that read, "Good night, detective, I'll see you in the morning!" and once she clicked send she shrugged out of her coat and hung it in her closet before she shut the door and headed up to her room to get changed into her pajamas.

Once changed she headed back downstairs to the kitchen and pulled out some leftover Chinese food and poured herself a glass of wine before she took a seat on the couch.

A heavy silence filled her house, the only thing to be heard was the electronic ringing of the fridge which made it easy for her mind to wander as she sat and ate. She focused on the emptiness of her home, on the words Jane wrote in her first text. Her house was empty, she had barely any kitchen ware, leaving her to only eat take-out, she had a few pieces of clothes and only a shirt for pajamas, she had one pair of shoes; and if you knew Maura Isles you knew that was an anomaly –she has nearly 100 pairs back in her closet in DC. Her only furniture was a couch and a bed –with its mattress still laying on her bedroom floor.

Maura let out a sigh and looked around her house, there wasn't a piece of artwork on the walls, no bar stools at the island. She's surprised her mother didn't faint when she walked in here. She's been living in this place for nearly a month, there should be more than this; she should have more than this!

Maura stood up from her seat and brought her dishes into the kitchen, dropping her Chinese food container in the trash and pouring herself another glass of wine. She opened up one of the drawers in her kitchen and pulled out a stack of multi coloured sticky-notes Jane brought over in one of her many bags of things she thought Maura might need. And after a long sip of wine she dug out a pen and without really thinking she started writing down things she needed and placing the sticky-notes where the items belong.

Hot pink sticky-notes covered her kitchen, there was even one on her floor that said "rug", while the ones on her fridge and counters said everything from "Food" to a list of every pot and pan she needed and one written in capital letters that read "COFFEE MACHINE"

She made her way through the house placing notes on walls that read "Painting", "Mask" and even "Mirror" while other ones stuck to the floor or lower on the well that read, "Table" and "carpet" while two sat on either side of the couch that read "Arm Chair" and one in-between the two built in bookshelves that read "TV" and on each bookshelf there was one that said "Books". Once she was done with the first floor it was covered in pink and green pieces of paper.

Once upstairs she placed more "Painting" post-it's on the walls and entered her room to put a note above the unfinished bed that read "Put together" and one on her alarm clock that read "Table" and another one across the room that read "Dresser". Maura made her way into her bathroom and placed more sticky-notes before she moved onto her walk-in closet and went crazy; multi coloured pieces of paper nearly covered every surface with lists of every article of clothing.

By the time she was done it looked like a clown threw up all over her house, she went through the whole stack of post-it's and it was nearing 11 o'clock at night.

Maura placed the pen on a shelf and slowly made her way back to her bed and laid down, nearly falling asleep the second her head hit the pillow.

Maura stood in the middle of Boston commons, people passing all around her in a blur, like her life was going in slow motion while everyone else just flew by. Her heart beat sped up as she slowly spun around to look at her surroundings, taking everything in until the sound of her name broke through her barrier,

"Maura!" it yelled and Maura quickly turned to face in its direction and saw Jane standing in the midst of all the blurry people.

Maura ran toward her and just as she was about to reach out she hit a barrier, she watched it shimmer and rumble from her impact before it went clear again and she heard Jane whisper her name as she placed a hand against the barrier and Maura placed hers over Jane's as she watched the woman on the other side start to cry.

"Jane, what's wrong? Tell me what's wrong?" Maura pleaded and Jane shook her head before she choked out,

"I'm so sorry, Maur, I'm so sorry…I tried, I really did."

Maura raised an eyebrow at Jane as she asked, "What do you mean? Jane what's going on!?" Maura cried as she tried to push through the barrier to get to her friend.

"I'm sorry, Maur." Jane whispered before she started disappearing in the crowd.

"Jane!" Maura cried out, "Jane, please! Please don't go, I need you! Please!" she yelled after her disappearing form.

"Darling, don't beg, it's unbecoming of a lady." Her mother's voice sounded through the barrier.

Maura whipped around to see her parents standing on the other side of the circle she was stuck in. "Mother, what's going on? Please tell me…I'm scared." Maura begged, not caring what her mother thinks of it, she's sure she would be begging too if she were in this situation.

"Well, Darling we're here to say goodbye." Constance said but as the words came out Maura started to see the scared woman from her house the other day.

"Goodbye? Where are you going?" Maura asked as her eyes traveled from her mother's up to her father's eyes where she registered tears welling up. "Daddy, what's going on?" Maura whimpered as she placed her hands against the barrier.

"We tried, princess, we really did." Her father said mournfully.

"Mom?" Maura squeaked as her mother placed her hand over Maura's, her father following the move soon after, Maura turned her head to look at her father, "Dad?" Maura looked between the two, "Please don't go…please don't leave me!" Maura cried as her parents soon followed Jane's disappearance in the crowd "Please you have to tell me what's going on!" she called after them.

She heard sobbing and turned around to see James' form moving back into the crowd, "James!" She called but by the time she got to the other side he was gone.

"Please! Someone tell me what's going on!" Maura screamed as she collapsed to the ground.

"Please! I'm getting better! Please, don't go! I'm trying!" she screamed, "PLEASE!" she yelled at the top of her lungs before she curled in a ball and started sobbing, "Please don't leave me…" She whispered.

Maura jolted up in her bed and quickly scanned her surroundings, making out the white walls of her bedroom she relaxed a little, but still with a nagging uncertainty she searched blindly for her phone but she didn't find it where she usually put it. She scrabbled through her covers and moved to get up, but fell back to the ground because her foot got tangled in her blankets. She let out a loud cry and maneuvered herself onto her back as she slowly stretched out her legs, she only fell about a couple of feet but her knees were throbbing in pain.

"Breathe." She whispered to herself in the darkness and took a few deep breaths and after a minute or so she sat up and slowly tried to stand again.

Once back on her feet she walked toward her door and entered the brightly lit hallway, she squinted her eyes as she adjusted to the light and slowly made her way downstairs in search of her cellphone.

She walked into her kitchen and sure enough there was her phone sitting on the island. She picked it up and hit a button to light up the scream and cringed when she saw the time, "6:23am, I might as well just stay up." She thought out loud before she staggered into her living room and collapsed onto her couch and draped her good arm over her eyes while the other one rested across her chest and let out a hiss as she tried to stretch out her legs again, "Well that's going to be a bruise." She mumbled as she stared at the roof.

After a half hour of just staring at her ceiling she stood up and headed upstairs to start getting ready for work. And once changed she called a Taxi and headed into the office, stopping in the café for a cup of coffee before she headed down to the morgue.

She smiled at the staff as she made her way into the lab and searched through the reports for the hard copies from the case and once they were gathered all up she tucked them under her arm and headed to the 3rd floor, thinking she could use the homicide units break room since she didn't technically have an office yet.

When she entered the bullpen she headed straight for Jane's desk, not paying attention to any looks she might be getting. She placed the files and her coffee cup down before she looked through the stack of files on Jane's desk and pulled out anything referring to the case and placed them on top of the others before she headed into the break room and set herself up at the small table and got down to work.

Jane entered the bullpen at 8:35 that morning, she had gone to Maura's like every morning to go pick up the M.E. but when she didn't answer the intercom Jane went in to look for her, only to find a house covered in post-it notes, the blanket on the couch in a heap at the end of it and when she went upstairs she found a tousled bed with Maura's pajama's laying on the mattress, she was relieved to see the doctor had left but in her search for her friend she ended up running late for work.

Jane wandered slowly to her desk and placed her coffee cup down before she caught the sight of Korsak awkwardly approaching her.

Jane turned and raised an eyebrow at the older detective, "Yeah?"

"Uh...it's about doctor Isles…" He said awkwardly and Jane shot out of her chair.

"What is it? Is she okay!?" she rushed out and the older man raised up his hands silently telling her to stop and calm down.

"She's fine Rizzoli, she's just in the break room."

Jane deflated slightly but then her eyebrows crinkled together as she tried to figure out what the problem was, "then why are you acting so weird? It's not like she's dancing around naked or something….is she?" Jane asked unsurely after a few seconds and Korsak shook his head and chuckled at the young detective before he motioned for her to follow him.

They stopped in front of the door and when Jane looked through the window she saw the M.E was fast asleep on the table.

"I found her like that when I came in, I thought it would be best if you woke her so I told everyone that the break room was off limits until you got here so nobody would spook her….but I'm sure you can guess that some of the detectives aren't to happy about not being able to get their snacks they keep in the fridge." Korsak laughed awkwardly again and shot a glance over to one of the other detectives who was pacing at the end of the hall.

Jane smiled in gratitude before she entered the break room and slowly walked over to the Maura and squatted so she was at the same level as the doctor, "Hey, sleepy head, it's time to wake up." She whispered as she gave Maura's knee a slight squeeze.

The doctor hissed and looked over at Jane before she mumbled a sleepy, "oww" Maura then blinked a few times and remembered where she was and jolted up right, nearly knocking Jane off balance.

"Whoa! Slow down there doc." Jane said as she grabbed onto the side of the table to regain her balance.

Maura looked down at Jane and smiled sheepishly before she stretched out her back, "Sorry, I must have fallen asleep while reading." Maura said as she straightened out the reports, never quite making eye contact with the detective.

"That's okay, we all have been there. Did you find anything interesting before you joined the dream world?" Jane asked with a gentle smile and Maura nodded her head.

"The idea kind of hit me on the ride here this morning. You see I started at a support group last night, my therapist suggested I at least go a couple times to see how I like it." Maura paused and turned her head to look at Jane and the detective smiled and nodded at her to continue. "So anyway the shelter I went to was close to the school, and they host them every day at different times -kind of like Alcoholics Anonymise- so I was thinking maybe Leslie went to one of the meetings at some point…"

"Yeah, that's a possibility but the whole thing about those kinda things is they are completely anonymise, I can't just walk in there and start asking around and I'm sure those women are very protective of each other, they won't say a word to me."

"But they might to me." Maura added with a smile and Jane frowned.

"No, Maura I've already asked you for so much with just helping out on this case I can't ask you to ruin your chances with that group."

Maura shook her head, "I won't be, like you said they are very protective of each other…and honestly Jane I'm worried about her, if we don't get sufficient evidence to support our theory she might get treated wrongly…I want her to get a fair trial, Jane. I don't want her to be bullied on the stand and not have her reasons for it stated as fact."

"Maura…"

"They'll want to help too. Please, Jane at least just let me try to talk to someone."

Jane let out a sigh, "Fine…do you have any idea what times she might have attended these groups."

"Yeah, she had a free period every Thursday at one o'clock, I'm thinking if she attended any it would be then. She'd have two hours off if she didn't eat lunch, and according to your report she ate lunch out every Thursday afternoon for the last month and a half."

Jane nodded slowly as she thought over what Maura said, "Okay. Let's go check it out." Maura smiled brightly up at the detective and Jane smiled softly in return before she stood back up and helped the medical examiner gather up her files.

Both women walked out of the break room and toward where Korsak was leaning against the wall a little ways away from the door.

"We're going to go follow a lead at the woman's shelter." Jane informed the older man who nodded.

"Okay, well I gotta go see Dr. Green about something." Korsak said with a smile

"Oh, while you are down there could you return these files?" Maura asked as she held out the three files she borrowed earlier.

"Yeah, sure thing, Doc. You two stay safe and call me if you get anything." Korsak said with a nod before he turned and headed to the elevator.

"I'll go put these back on my desk." Jane said as she held up the rest of the files and turned down the hall.

Maura nodded in her direction before she bobbed slightly on her feet and glanced around the hallway.

Everything seemed so different as she walked through the doors of the women's shelter with Jane, maybe it was the time of day or maybe it was cause she's been there before or maybe because she was with Jane but some how the halls seemed to shine a little brighter, and the girl at the main desk looked less frightening; Maura would even swear she cast her a smile different from the night before and, her steps echoed less in her ears and her heart beat a steadier rhythm as they walked back down the hall to the common.

Jane's hand placed lightly on her back brought her out of mind and right into a pair of gentle eyes, and a few words rumbled out once they came to a stop outside the doors of the common.

'Focus' Maura told herself as she watched Jane's mouth move around a few words again, "I'm sorry, what did you say?" Maura asked with a slight shake of her head to make her ears focus on the words coming out of Jane's mouth and not the gentle features of the Italians face.

Jane smiled softly at Maura before she repeated herself, "Are you sure you want to do this? I don't want you to ruin your chances for this case."

Maura's eyes searched Jane's face again, looking for anything untrue in the Italians features but all she found was care and worry and Maura couldn't help the smile that spread across her face, "I'm sure, Jane. Anyway I have you and Dr. Baxter and there's always other groups if this ends badly." Maura finished with a little smirk and a shrug of her shoulders before she turned and pushed open the door.

She smiled at the group sitting in the room before she turned her head to see if Jane was following, 'Ha now she knows the feeling' Maura laughed to herself as Jane followed her slightly dumbfounded.

Jane walked up to Maura and smiled before she whispered in the doctor's ear, "You never cease to amaze me, Dr. Isles."

Maura shook her head at her friend and turned around, "Now would you please do up your coat, we don't want anyone to get spooked by your badge or gun."

"Yes ma'am." Jane smirked and did up her winter coat before they made their way to the circle and took a seat in the group and about 20 minutes later the group was being called to a close and all the women stood to get refreshments, Maura noticed that it wasn't unlike the meeting she went to but instead of sitting with Kit she was walking over to the counselor with Jane, she was "on the job" she mused to herself.

"Tammy, may we talk to you for a minute?" Maura asked the woman from the other night and the older woman beamed at her and nodded quickly.

"Of course, dear. What can I do for you?"

"I'm trying to help someone." Maura started and the older woman's eyes shot over to Jane and Maura's followed. "No, no, this is Jane, we work together."

Jane smiled and nodded at the woman before Maura went to continue. "I'm a medical examiner for the BPD and I'm working with Detective Rizzoli on a case of possible domestic violence."

"I see," Tammy nodded as she looked over the two women, "what can I do for you?"

"Well it's a rather tricky situation…it looks like the wife killed her husband after two years of abuse." Tammy nodded and Maura continued, "And I'm trying to help her, I want her to have a fair trial if she is guilty and for that I'd like the fact that she was a victim of domestic abuse to be unwavering so the lawyers and jury don't think it's some kind of ploy…"

"And how am I supposed to be of assistance?" Tammy asked as she crossed her arms in front of her.

"She worked not very far from here, and we think she might have come to a few of the Thursday afternoon meetings from 12-2."

Tammy let out a sigh, "Maura you know as well as me that these meetings strive on anonymity."

"I know, I know but I'm asking you to do this for a woman who may have possibly been acting in self-defense…or she just couldn't take it anymore and snapped." Maura let out a sigh, "I don't think she deserves a life sentence and I don't think she should get away with it but I do believe she should get a fair trial and for the jury to understand why she did it and not have it turned on her and told it's nothing but a ploy, please Tammy all I ask is for you to tell the truth if you've seen her here of not, that's all…maybe even to pass the picture to some of the girls…I want to help her, I promise." Maura begged and Tammy nodded.

"Fine, give me a picture but I can't make any promises."

Jane smiled in gratitude and pulled a picture of the wife out of her pocket. "Thank you, ma'am we really appreciate your help."

Tammy took the picture from the detectives hand and looked down at it before she let out a sigh and ran a hand through her hair.

"What's wrong?" Maura asked and Tammy shook her head.

"She was trying to get out." Tammy said with a frown, "I'll...uh talk to some of the girls."

"Thank you." Maura said again and Tammy smiled,

"I'll see you at the next meeting?" she asked and Maura nodded. "Good, and I hope you've made some progress on what we discussed in group yesterday?"

Maura smiled, "I have, it's a little of a bumpy start but I think in some time I'll figure it out."

"That's good to hear, dear." Tammy smiled, "Okay, I have to start getting ready for next group. Good luck on your case, ladies." Tammy said with a smile before she turned and walked over to another group of girls.

Jane turned to Maura and smiled, "You did good."

Maura simply nodded in reply and turned on her heals, heading toward the exit.

They were almost back at the precinct when Maura's phone started ringing and after a little struggling to get it out of her coat pocket she finally answered, "Dr. Isles."

"Dr. Isles, this is Claire Tomas, Kit's mother." The voice on the other end spoke and Maura smiled.

"Good morning, Mrs. Tomas, Kit mentioned you'd be calling today." Maura spoke and looked over at Jane when she noticed the detective's head turn and Maura smiled at her before she mouthed 'later' and Jane nodded in reply before she focused back on the road.

"Yes, I was hoping we could discuss a few things about this internship?"

"Of course, what would you like to know?" Maura asked as she watched the buildings zoom past.

"What would her hours be?" Kit's mother asked.

Maura let out a hum as she thought, "Say 3:30-6pm on school days and 8am-12pm on rotating weekends?" Maura asked as she tapped her finger on her thigh while she thought. "She'd only be working when I am on duty so if I need to stay home she can stay home but after some time in the building she could have the choice of coming in."

"And her homework?" Mrs. Tomas asked.

"She can do it here, I should have my office soon and even now I'm sure Dr. Green wouldn't mind lending out some space for her to do her work." Maura said as she looked out the window and opened up the door, stepping out onto the sidewalk.

"Good morning doctor Isles." The officer at the desk greeted and Maura nodded in reply before Jane answered the man.

"Morning Peters, the doc would speak but she's on the phone."

"Is this a bad time?" The voice of Mrs. Tomas burst back though the phone and Maura instantly started shaking her head before she realized she was on the phone and answered,

"No, not at all. Is there anything else you would like to know?" Maura asked as she walked into the café and smiled at Angela quietly signaling for a cup of coffee by holding up her hand signalling for a number 4 and then taking a seat at one of the tables as she waited.

"Would she be seeing dead people?" the woman asked and Maura smiled at the question.

"She may see some in her time but I assure you I'll keep her away from the traumatizing ones. But as for now I'm currently not preforming any autopsies because of an injury so she will mostly be helping with paperwork, delivering results to the detectives and maybe spending a little time with me in the lab." Maura reassured the mother and smiled in thank you when Angela placed the coffee in front of her.

"And food? If she's ever there late will she have food?"

"I can assure you Mrs. Tomas that she will be well fed, we have a lovely café in the lobby that serves nutritious fresh cooked meals."

"Okay…"

"Okay? Is that all?" Maura asked and raised an eyebrow at Jane when she saw her shaking her head as she walked away from speaking to her mother.

"Yes, just…when does she start?"

Maura smiled, "She can start on Monday."

"Okay, thank you for this Dr. Isles." The woman said gratefully.

"It's my pleasure, Mrs. Tomas." Maura answered and smiled when a plate of pancakes was placed in front of her followed by an egg breakfast across from her before Jane took a seat at the table.

"Goodbye, Dr. Isles."

"Have a nice day, ma'am." Maura said before she hung up the phone and smiled happily at Jane. "And what is this for?" She asked with the slight raise of an eyebrow but still happily dug into her food.

"Well one: because you did a good job today, two: because my mom overheard your comment and wanted to give you something for being so sweet and three: Because I figured you hadn't eaten much for breakfast and we all know I heard your stomach growl in the car." Jane said with a smirk before she dug into her own food.

"Well thank you then." Maura smiled at Jane before she turned toward Jane's mother working quietly behind the counter, "And thank you for the pancakes, Angela." Maura called to the older Rizzoli.

"Least I can do, dear!" She called back before a customer called her attention.

"So, it's later" Jane said with a smirk and Maura shook her head at her.

"That was Kit's mom calling about Kit volunteering down at the morgue."

"Ah so her parents took you up on the offer?" Jane asked before she stuffed a fork full of eggs in her mouth.

"Yeah, she'll be starting Monday."

Jane nodded as she finished chewing, "well I'm sure we will be finished this case by then, I called Korsak before I came in here and he said we have enough evidence to bring Leslie in for questioning."

"That's good." Maura smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Jane sighed and reached across the table and gently placed her hand over Maura's, "Hey, don't worry you are still going to be in there with her, she won't be treated badly Maura. We know why she did it, all we need is the full story."

Maura nodded, "I know." Maura sighed and looked up into Jane's eyes and confessed, "I just can't help thinking that that could have been me."

Jane shook her head, "Well it's not." Jane smiled, "You've done a great job these last few days, Maura, don't forget that."

Maura nodded before she pulled her hand from Jane's and started eating again, putting an end to the conversation and driving them into a comfortable silence.