TITLE: Rizzoli & Isles – Wake Up Call
SUMMARY: Pining over her co-worker for years, Detective Jane Rizzoli is in desperate need of a miracle, or for the object of her daydreams to finally wake up and grasp the meaning behind the none too subtle inferences they've been sharing. The chance comes Jane's way after experiencing a near fatal ending to a case and she finds the courage to set the wheels in motion that result in having her best friend doing a little more than smell the roses along the way. A/U
PAIRINGS: Jane Rizzoli & Original Female Character. Maura Iles & Ian Faulkner.
RATING: M for mature readers.
DISCLAIMER: All characters other than those conjured up by the author's imagination, remain the property of author Tess Gerritsen and television series writers Janet Tamaro, Steve Lichtman & Kiersten Van Home. No copyright infringement to Hurdler Productions, Ostar Productions or Warner Horizon Television is intended. The following story is a work of fiction brought to life for the purposes of entertainment only. No money has been exchanged nor any profit derived by sponsorship.
WARNING: Events follow on from Episode 1 & 2 of Season 3. This tale takes a different course from the television series and features several consensual relationships between women.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, follows and favourites. I hope you enjoy the next instalment.
Chapter 14
By the time the ambulance reached the Emergency Department's drop off dock, Maura was focused on wedding plans and Jane held her hand as the gurney was wheeled inside.
After handing over the symptoms and vital readings to medical staff, Sherry and Alive pushed Maura into an examination cubicle. Jane was directed to the waiting room by a nurse and advised someone would speak to her as soon as possible.
As Jane found a row of vacant seats, a haggard faced Korsak and Frost rushed up to her.
The trio sat down and Vince automatically put an arm around Jane, "Why didn't Maura do something about the headaches ages ago? She's been having them for weeks and should have known better."
"I know you are worried about her, we all are, but like me Mau thought they were caused by stress. Aspirin always took care of them until now."
Frost wiped his teary eyes, "It looks serious."
Staving off her own tears, Jane agreed, "She thinks we are engaged and it is April next year. Why the hell didn't I force her to get a check-up?"
Korsak shook his head, "Jane, you aren't the only one. We all witnessed uncharacteristic conduct from her and passed it off as tension or just having a bad day."
"That's just the thing, Maura never stresses over anything. God only knows what's wrong with her and she could have been helped before it got this bad."
A frantic Angela and Ian walked into the waiting room and the doctor asked, "What the bloody hell happened?"
Getting up, Jane took the question, "Maura had some kind of breakdown and is confused."
"Say what?" queried a shocked Angela.
Going over the details, Jane came undone when Ian stated, "She's showing symptoms of having a brain tumour or bleed."
Gasping loudly, Angela reached for her daughter and embraced her, "She'll be okay; she just has to be."
"I need to be with her," vowed Ian as his eyes filled with tears. "I'm going in."
"Wait," interjected Vince while standing. "Maura doesn't know you're here let alone a couple. Forcing your way in there won't help her. I understand your frustration and worry, but let the doctors do their job. Someone will notify us of the situation as soon as there is something to tell us."
Ian's shoulders slumped in defeat, "You are correct Vince and I know they'll do all they can for her. I just feel so bloody useless."
"How long before Constance gets here ma?" enquired Jane while straightening up and drying her eyes with the back of her hands.
"She's currently in Los Angeles and will be here in about five and half hours."
Withdrawing his phone, Ian said, "I'll give her a call and bring her up to date."
-o-
Seventy minutes passed before a nurse approached the five worried people finding solace with each other in the waiting room. "Is there an Ian Faulkner here?"
Getting to his feet, the Australian replied, "I am. Can I see my fiancée now?"
"I'm sorry, but Doctor Isles has been admitted and is presently undergoing an MRI. If you'd like to go up to the sixth floor, you can wait there for her to return to her room."
"Can we all go up?" asked a hopeful Angela. "We're her family."
"Yes and Doctor Durban will speak to you once the test results are ready."
"Thank you nurse," said Ian while heading for the elevators.
The others glumly followed and the short trip was taken in silence. Each person was caught up in their own thoughts and reluctant to voice their concerns and fears.
-o-
A sedated Maura was wheeled into room 616 by an orderly two hours and fifteen minutes after Ian and company made themselves comfortable in the chairs Korsak and Frost had confiscated from the vacant room next door.
Everybody stood as the bed was moved into position and a nurse set up various monitors and IV stands. Jane held onto her mother's hand when a tall brunette wearing a white lab coat, joined them seconds later.
Stepping forward to Ian, she introduced herself, "Hello, my name is Doctor Sally Durban. I am Head of Neurology and I believe you are Doctor Ian Faulkner; Doctor Isles' fiancé and one of her emergency contacts."
With one eye on his fiancée, Ian shook the offered hand, "Yes, that's right. I gather due to her current state of unconsciousness, there was a problem with the magnetic resonance imaging."
Durban nodded twice, "You are correct. Doctor Isles became hysterical during the procedure and had to be chemically restrained."
Jane moved to the right side of the bed and took hold of Maura's limp hand and listened intently. Angela stood by her side and Korsak placed a comforting hand on her left shoulder.
"Bloody hell," cursed Ian. "What is the diagnosis Doctor Durban?"
"A sizeable mass was located on the right side of the frontal lobe."
With buckling knees, Jane mumbled, "Jesus no." Her mother grabbed her as Vince collected the nearest chair and placed it under her bottom. She valiantly held back the tears as she took up the seat.
Angela let her held back tears fall and once again Vince offered his support by allowing her to cry on his shoulder.
In a daze, Ian faltered briefly before asking, "Your prognosis?"
"I will discuss the proposed treatment in a minute, but first I need some background information in regards to how long Doctor Isles has been suffering these headaches and lapses of memory."
Glancing at Jane, Ian replied, "Maura told me she's been tense over me being absent with work overseas. I work for Doctors Without Borders and have been in Africa on and off for the past two months. I'd say she's been having them for at least that long. Jane is her best friend as well as a work colleague and may be aware of a different timeframe."
Recalling Maura's and her one night stand, Jane quickly testified, "It's probably closer to three months. I witnessed her having headaches maybe once a week and there was out of character conduct on four occasions. Maura always said it was due to missing Ian and the pain eased with aspirin."
Making notes on the chart, Doctor Durban stated, "Emergency staff indicated she was confused upon arrival and when I carried out the Neurological examination to evaluate the nervous system to determine whether any abnormalities exist; I was pleased to discover her reflexes, sensation, muscle strength, eye and mouth movement, coordination, and alertness are all well within the range of normal. Having said that, it is obvious Doctor Isles is suffering behavioural changes and false memories."
The room went silent for a brief moment before the Neurologist resumed, "Considering the size of the tumour and its potential growth rate, I'd recommend surgery as soon as possible. Irrespective of the mass being benign or malignant, it has to be removed as it is putting pressure on the areas of the brain that in turn, are causing the symptoms."
Tilting his head to the side, Ian countered, "And you won't know what you are dealing with until you do a frozen section biopsy during surgery and have the cells tested."
"Correct and there is no benefit in planning a treatment program until we have those results. I am confident that my team and I can remove the whole tumour without any risk to Doctor Isles."
"I understand," replied a teary eyed Ian. "When would you be able to perform the procedure?"
"I can do the operation tonight at seven. I don't want to wait any longer than necessary. Once Doctor Isles wakes, I will explain the diagnosis to her and ask for permission to do the surgery."
"Thank you Doctor Duban," remarked Ian in gratitude before reaching for Maura's free hand.
"We'll give you some privacy," suggested Jane. "I'm really sorry Ian."
"Thank you Jane and I know this is hard on all of you here. Each and every one of you is part of her family and I know she loves you deeply. I will come get you once I've had a chance to talk to Maura."
A shocked Frost led the way to the exit and Jane hugged him once she was out in the hallway. The two detectives broke down and Vince supported Angela the best he could.
-o-
It was twenty minutes later when a red eyed Ian stepped out of the room and asked Jane to go inside. Wiping her eyes, she entered and was surprised when Ian didn't return with her.
Maura was now sitting up in bed and daubing a tissue to her hazel orbs. "I must look a mess," she jested as Jane approached and interwove their fingers.
"You are as beautiful as always Mau and I'm so sorry you're unwell." She focused on her friend and burst into tears.
"Hey now, don't cry Jane. There's already been too much of that as it is. It looks like we will have to postpone our wedding."
Realising Maura was still living in a fantasy world; Jane understood Ian must not have corrected the misapprehension. Jane just nodded, she didn't want to lie anymore.
"Ian's gone to speak with the Neurologist. His is fairly upset, but I told him there is no sense in worrying until we have a full diagnosis."
"Everyone is concerned for you. Mom, Vince and Barry are all outside waiting to see you."
"That's so nice of them. Will you stay with me until I go into theatre?"
"Of course I will."
"I'll feel better knowing you are close by."
"No matter what happens, I will be by your side every step of the way."
"There is the change the tumour will be a meningiomas or neural sheath which means it is benign. If it is a primary or metastatic, then it is malignant and the biopsy will also tell us what stage it is at."
"Shit Maura."
"If it is malignant we will deal with it Jane. I'll be facing chemotherapy or radiation treatment or a combination of the two. Ian said Doctor Durban is confident of removing the entire tumour."
"Yes she is."
"That's good news sweetie. I love you so much Jane."
"I love you too." It wasn't a lie; Jane did love Maura, but was not in love with her anymore. She was for many years before finding the courage to tell her the truth, but it was never meant to be and she welcomed the change in their relationship when Erica Campbell walked into her life and woke her up from her unattainable daydreams.
Jane's inner thoughts were disturbed when Maura made a request, "Kiss me for good luck darling, it will lift my spirits."
Jane's heart was telling her no, but her brain was saying to play along and keep her best friend settled. Even though she was no longer with Erica, she nevertheless felt it would have been wrong to comply. Her blinding turmoil was halted when Doctor Durban and Ian walked into the room.
Sally went through the procedure and Jane caught Ian's eye. She mouthed the words "I'm sorry" and in reply he gnawed on his lower lip and brushed away several tears.
Once the doctor departed, Jane offered to ask the others to visit. She motioned for Ian to accompany her, which he did.
After they were left alone in the corridor, Jane placed a hand on the distraught man's shoulder, "You must be going through hell not being about to comfort her."
"It's not pleasant, but there is no sense in upsetting Maura. I just want her to get through the operation and be all right."
"I do too and she asked me to stay with her."
"Yes, she advised me she would."
"How did you explain your presence?"
"I told her I was in town to visit and called into her work and was told of her collapse. I've offered my assistance to care for her during her recovery and she accepted."
"Great. I'm so glad you'll be here for her."
"I've already resigned my positon and will not be leaving her again."
"That's excellent news and any time you need a break, I'll cover for you."
"I'll be sure to take you up on the offer. You know, we never did finish our conversation regards you and Maura."
"What did she tell you?"
"When I first arrived home she mentioned she kissed you when I was in hospital and wanted to have a relationship with you. Maura also said I was okay with that idea."
Embarrassed was an inadequate word to describe how Jane felt. She stumbled over the right reply, "I … she … yes she did."
"I see and I suspect you informed Doctor Durban Maura had been suffering symptoms back in June because she had agreed to enter into a romantic relationship with you after being injured in that car crash."
"Crap, you know all about that?"
"Maura told me the next day and admitted she'd made a terrible mistake in leading you on. She was conflicted by her feelings for you and I for some time, but in the end chose me."
Relieved to have everything out in the open, Jane replied, "Honestly, I didn't even know you were in the picture at the time. I apologise for getting caught up in my own emotions."
"I don't blame you Jane. In fact, I should thank you. Maura needed to sort herself out and she did."
"So you don't believe she acted the way she did because of the tumour?"
"I can't be absolutely certain, but I was aware of an attraction between the two of you when I first met you."
"Jesus, I'm just glad it all worked out for the best; apart from the whole crappy tumour situation. You have always been Maura's one true love."
The distraught man allowed himself a huge grin, "Yes, she has told me that on a number of occasions. Is Erica's yours?"
A smile broke out on Jane's face, "Yes, yes she is."
"Then let's support Maura through this ordeal then you can go be with Erica."
"I just hope Erica will be willing to listen to me when I show up, but for now, Maura's health is my first priority."
Eyebrows rose in question, "I thought I overheard you mentioning to Angela downstairs that Erica is currently in hospital too."
"She is, but the difference is she doesn't want be there and Maura wants me here. I am torn between being in two places at one time and whether Erica will ever want to be with me again."
"There is only one way to find out Jane and if you love her, you will find a way to communicate with her."
"I know, but I need to concentrate on Maura for the time being. If I don't, I'll go insane."
"I fully understand and I do wish you the best of luck when your opportunity arises."
"Thank you Ian, I appreciate your sentiment."
"You are welcome and I like the fact we can talk things out."
"Me too," agreed Jane before returning to her best friend's bedside.
-o-