Short chapter. It was really hard to get this one out. Hopefully the wall blocking my muse is gone. I am pretty sure how I will play the rest of this tale, but no guarantee that I will post frequently. *insert evil laugh here* I have a busy two month ahead with work and family visits back home. Enjoy!
He was smiling at her gently. And while she was too shocked to speak her body automatically allowed him into the apartment, gently closing the door behind him. Her sleep addled brain was still trying to process that the detective was in their apartment. Just what was he doing there? They were states away from Boston. How did he know their address?
"Det-" She couldn't get the word out at first, her voice still scratchy from sleep and the day's earlier events. Her second try was more successful, "Detective Frost why are you here?"
"Jane didn't tell you?"
"Jane? No she didn't tell me anything."
"Is she here? I expected her to open the door considering she is the one who called me."
"Jane called you? When?" She glanced toward the bedroom where the object of their discussion lay sleeping.
"Yea. She called me early this morning. Said she needed my help with something. She didn't give me much of an explanation, but I have a feeling it's because she didn't know how to tell me. I know she doesn't talk a lot," he rubbed the back of his neck as he talked. Looking around the small space they were standing in he was surprised to see bare furnishings.
"She gave me your address and I got on the first plane out here. Is everything alright?"
She looked at Detective Frost aghast. Jane had called him to come help? She couldn't believe that Jane had willingly called someone else to help, not to mention the Detective that almost had her sent back the Authority.
"Are you sure it was Jane? I am sorry Detective Frost-"
"Barry. Call me Barry."
"Barry. I am sorry for seeming so confused; I just hadn't realized Jane had your number. Nor had she given me any reason to think that she would call you."
"She didn't tell you she called me? Oh, I had assumed you knew. What's wrong Maura? She had to have called me for a reason?"
After he asked the question a second time Maura couldn't help the tears falling from her eyes. She was still depressed with the loss of her son, but she was also so incredibly happy that Jane had called him for help. It was obvious that Jane wasn't getting anywhere with her approach to finding Jonathan.
Barry's face took on a stricken look. He did not know what to do. He barely knew the woman in front of him; he wasn't comfortable trying to extend any comfort. It didn't matter though. As though the sounds of Maura's sobs were a whistle calling a dog Jane came tearing out of what looked to be the bedroom and immediately took Maura in her arms.
When Maura felt the strong arms encircle her smaller frame she immediately latched onto the source of comfort and valiantly tried to calm her emotions and her breathing. She smiled and nuzzled closer into the chest her face was pressed against.
"I'm alright Jane," she mumbled. "I just hadn't expected Barry to arrive. Why didn't you tell me you called him?"
With a sheepish look Jane easily replied, "Did tell you. Said I made a phone call."
"I guess you did. Why didn't you tell me you called Barry though?"
Jane pulled away from Maura and started twisting her hands together, "Scared."
"Scared of what sweetheart?" The endearment slipped right out of her mouth, she refused to take it back though. It seemed to fit the moment and her new discovered feelings.
"I can't find him. Scared you would leave."
"Oh Jane! No. No no no. I wouldn't have left, I won't leave! I'm staying right here. I know you are trying so hard to find him. And you calling Barry just shows me how much you care. It's ok Jane. I promise it's ok." Maura rubbed Jane's arms for a few seconds before taking her hands and splitting them apart so they stopped rubbing together. After a moment a slight cough redirected her attention.
Jane looked up and smiled. Maura saw Barry smile back at her.
"So Maura, since Jane couldn't seem to find the words to explain to me what is going on and what help you need, maybe I could trouble you for a coffee and a story?"
"Yes Barry." Still holding one of Jane's hands, her thumb rubbing scarred flesh, she looked at Jane and smiled. "I think Jane and I can do that. Please sit down. This might take a little bit of time."
…..
"I don't know what I can do to help Maura. This is way out of my league. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time with the incident in Boston. Normally I take care of all the technology bits on cases. I am sure I can try to look some information up through the police database, but I worry about triggering anything. I hate to say it but I think the incident in Boston is how they found you in Kentucky."
Maura saw Barry frown. She had had such high hopes for when he showed up. Now she didn't know what to do again. If what Barry said was true and the incident in Boston had led them to Maura's ranch in Kentucky then there was no telling what could happen this time if Barry tried to dig deeper. She was sure digging would throw up more red flags than concealing.
Maura looked at Jane. She was slightly startled to see a gleam in her eyes. Barry's pronouncement did not seem to detour her spirits any.
"What is it Jane?"
"Have an idea." Looking to Barry, "Maura won't like it. Have to keep her safe. WILL find Jonathan though."
"What do you mean I won't like it? Jane what are you thinking?"
Looking to Barry, "Can get tracker? Small?"
Startled Barry nodded. "Yes, I can. But what for? I would have to fly back to Boston to get though. I wouldn't be back for a couple of days."
Jane nodded. Taking a breath she looked at Maura with sad eyes.
"Have to go back Maura. I have to go back to Authority. Need to be caught and taken back."
"NO!" It exploded from Maura mouth with such forcefulness she was surprised she hadn't knocked Jane down with her words alone. "You can't! I just got you back Jane. You can't leave me again. You could die!"
Jane shook her head. "Have to Maura. Jonathan smart, they make him an Alpha. They take me to him I can save him."
Maura's horrified expression at the thought of her son being made into the male version of Jane filled her with such revulsion that she bolted from the living room to the bathroom. She dry heaved into the toilet for a few minutes before she calm down enough to stand without falling.
Jane was there immediately, having followed her from the living room.
"He's fine Maura. They won't hurt him for a while. Took months before they hurt me. I have to go, I have to get him back." It was the most Maura had ever heard of Jane's time with the Authority.
"But Jane, they will collar you again. They'll make you- they'll make you.." She couldn't finish the sentence. It was too horrifying. Jane had made it such a long way since Maura had taken her in. She didn't want the Jane standing in front of her now to disappear, whether physically or emotionally.
"I promised I wouldn't leave you Jane. And now, now you're leaving me instead. You can't do this! Please!"
"Will be fine Maura. I have you now, I have to come back." Jane said this sheepishly, like she was nervous of her admission to Maura. "Will remember you, and will not go back to how I was before. Promise."
Maura heaved a very big sigh and stepped closer to Jane. She could see the wariness on Jane's face as she got closer. With one last step she brought her arms around Jane and hugged her tightly. Smelling her and remembering everything she could of this moment.
"You have to come back Jane. I wouldn't survive if I lost you and Jonathan both."
Jane hummed in contentment. "Promise".