Chapter 25
Jane was sitting on the bed leaning against the headboard watching TV when Maura came out of the bathroom. Jane watched her approach the bed and thought about how lucky she was that Maura gave her another chance. "You're beautiful."
Maura looked up and smiled at Jane. "How can you say that when I just removed my makeup and my hair is a mess?" She lay down next to Jane and smiled at her.
"Because I like you best when you look like this. I like that I'm the only one that gets to see you like this but whatever you're wearing you are always breathtaking."
Maura rose up on her knees then straddled Jane's hips. She leaned forward and gave Jane a quick kiss. "Now we need to talk about the plan to get rid of Ian." She rolled back over to her side of the bed and pulled Jane down so she was lying next to her. "How do you plan on drawing him out?"
Jane rolled over on her side so she was face to face with Maura. "I've already told you I don't know but we have to be prepared."
"How can we prepare for something if we don't know what's going to happen? That is illogical Jane?"
"It just means you are going to learn to use that gun as if it was an extension of your arm and then you are going to carry it wherever you go. We'll get you a permit tomorrow and even when you are just walking around the house you will carry it. You have to try to anticipate what Ian might do. If he somehow removes me from the picture you have to be ready for him. It could happen when I go out to get the morning paper. As a matter of fact that was one idea that came to mind. For some reason I have this feeling that he is somewhere nearby already watching us."
"Is this your intestines talking?" Maura asked seriously.
Jane laughed and reached up and lightly tapped Maura's nose with one finger in a very loving manner. "That's right Maura. It's a gut feeling I have every morning when I go out to pick the paper up from the driveway. If he's smart that's when he'll make his move. He's more than likely been watching the patrols and figuring out the best time to make his move. Who would think he'd be audacious enough to make a move in broad daylight? It's what I would do. He'll be bold because he'll be thinking we won't be expecting it. But we will be."
"Why do you have to be the one that puts yourself out there? Why do you have to take the risk? Why can't we assign someone else to be my guard and let him or her be the sacrifice?" Maura tried hard but failed to keep the desperation out of her voice.
"And what would you have me do sit in the house and twiddle my thumbs? Would you trust anyone to guard you like I do?" She saw the answer in Maura's eyes. "I didn't think so. Besides if we change the routine now Ian would know something is up. I've tried Maura, I've tried to find another way to do this and I can't think of any other way to draw him out. I may not be ready for everything but I'll be prepared for a sneak attack. Let's just lay here and snuggle ok? There's nothing we can do about it tonight. Besides, I need my beauty sleep so I look good for the photo shoot tomorrow night."
"Oh Jane you would look gorgeous in a gunnysack." Maura reached behind her for the TV remote and handed it to Jane then reached for her book and snuggled in next to Jane and waited until Jane had her arm around her and pulled her in tight before she opened her book. "Now let's try to relax. I love you Jane."
"I love you too Maura." She pointed the remote towards the TV and sat back to watch ESPN. Once again she felt so content but she was so afraid that it could all be taken from her in a heartbeat. She tried not to let on to Maura how scared she really was. She was terrified that somehow Ian was going to get past her and take Maura and knew if he did she'd never see Maura again. She had to make sure Maura was ready to either maim or kill him so that he could not get back up. She had to make sure she didn't let Ian take her out of the picture completely so that she would be able to help Maura when she needed her the most. She wouldn't let her down this time, now she just had to figure out a way to make sure she didn't. She reached up with the remote and turned the TV off the turned to Maura and took the book from her hands and marked her page with the card she always used as a bookmark. She reached over Maura and placed both the remote and the book on the bedside table.
"Are you Ok?" Maura looked up from beneath Jane.
"I want to make love to you. Slow sweet love. Will you let me do that?" She leaned down and kissed Maura's neck.
Maura noticed there was none of the playfulness that has accompanied their lovemaking as of late and she could tell this meant a lot to Jane. "I would like that very much." She answered with the same seriousness with which Jane had asked. "Very much."
Without saying anything Jane reached for the bottom of the shirt Maura was wearing and pulled it up over her head all the while kissing the bear skin as it was revealed to her. She kissed and sucked on her neck wanting, no needing to leave her mark there. She pulled her head back and looked at the mark there and smiled a little smile. She reached up with her left hand and took one of the voluminous breasts in her hand and gently kneading it. Maura's moan was music to her ears. She lowered her head and nipped at the nipple of the other breast and turned her head to watch Maura's face. "Oh god Jane that feels fantastic. More, I need more." Jane knew what she needed but she wasn't quite ready to give in yet. She reached down to the waistband of Maura's shorts and lowered them down her legs then dragged her nails all the way up her legs and stopped just short of where she knew Maura needed her most then reached down and did the same to the other leg. Maura's hips were trying to rub against Jane but Jane was having none of it. "Jane please, I need you inside me."
Jane moved up and whispered in Maura's ear. "Soon sweetie and I promise it will be worth the way. Please be patient and I will make it worth the wait." Once again she kissed her way down Maura's body and paid special attention to her stomach. "I love this little freckle right here." She kissed said freckle. "And this one here is special too." She kissed that one too. "Ah hell Maura I love everything about you." As she said that her hand had made it's way down to the dripping folds below the golden brown patch of curly hair. She slowly entered her with two fingers and just held them still until Maura looked up at her. "Look at me while I make love to you. I want you to watch and I want be able to look in your eyes. I love you so much Maura."
"I love you too Jane." Maura eyes were filled with so much love and Jane started to slowly move her fingers and Maura's hips moved in unison with Jane's movements. "Oh god faster Jane I need it faster." Jane slowly worked her way down until she was lying between Maura's legs and as her fingers began to move faster she lowered her head until she could take her clit into her mouth and she smiled when she heard a moan that came from deep in Maura's being. Jane moaned when she tasted Maura's juices and she started to pump her fingers faster and felt Maura's walls begin to close around her fingers. Maura's hips bucked then her back went rigid before her whole body began to writhe beneath Jane and she continued to pump her fingers and run her tongue furiously back and forth across Maura's engorged clit until Maura's body finally lay spent on the bed. "Stop! Please stop Jane I can't take anymore." She reached down and pulled Jane up for a searing kiss. "I love you so much Jane."
Jane lay down next to her and as usual pulled her close beside her. She kissed the top of her head. "I love you too Maura. I'll never be able to show you just how much I love you."
"Well if that was one way of showing me then I look forward to you trying to show me just how much." She smiled up at Jane and the look in her eyes melted Jane's heart even more than it usually did. Jane watched as Maura fought a yawn.
"Sleep sweetie we can talk more in the morning." Jane reached over and turned off the light then settled in next to an already sleeping Maura.
Jane woke the next morning in an empty bed but the great smell of coffee lured her to the kitchen and the beautiful sight of Maura making breakfast. Jane walked up behind her and rested her head on her shoulder. Maura turned her head and gave Jane a quick kiss. "Good morning Jane. How did you sleep?"
"Pretty good how about you?" Jane nipped her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around Maura's waist.
"Alright you two is breakfast getting made or should I take over?" Angela walked in and placed a kiss on the cheek of each woman. She looked at the stove then pushed them both out of the way. "Get out of here so I can finish this without it burning."
"Thanks Ma." Jane took Maura's hand and they both left the kitchen laughing.
Maura started folding the linen from the couch when Frankie walked out of the bathroom. "Hey Maura I can take care of that you don't have to clean up after me. You have to do that enough with Jane you don't have to do it for me." Jane picked up the pillow and threw it at him. "Hey what was that for? You know it's true."
"No it's not, I clean up after myself. Don't I Maura?" She turned to Maura.
Maura turned to Frankie. "She cleans up after herself. She keeps things very neat and tidy."
"Well then she's changed a lot because she used to be a slob. So when are you heading into the firing range today?" He took the blanket from Maura and stowed it away for later tonight.
"I plan on leaving as soon as we finish breakfast or as soon as Maura can get ready after we eat." She waited for Maura's response and was not disappointed.
"What's wrong with the way I look? My hair is in all the right places, my makeup is flawless as usual and this dress suits my mood. What else do I need to do?" Maura looked around the table as everybody took what has become their assigned seats.
"Nothing at all Maura if we were headed to the photo shoot. You look perfect as always but it's not exactly appropriate attire for the shooting range. You should probably wear flat shoes instead of those 3 inch heels. Although I love the way you look in those heels." Jane gave her a look that told her exactly how much she liked the way she looked in those shoes. "But we are not going to a photo shoot right now and you need to wear shoes that will help you maintain your balance. But you can certainly change back into that outfit when we finish at the range." She smiled again letting Maura know that she really wanted her to change back into the outfit when they were done on the range.
"Ok I will go change into something more suitable. Are we checking into the Ritz when we are done at the range?" She threw over her shoulder. Jane followed her back into the bedroom.
"I thought it would make more sense than coming back here and I was hoping Ian would be thinking we'll come back here and we could lose him downtown. I don't want him knowing where we'll be staying. I just want one night where we won't have to look over our shoulders and we can be ourselves. Think we can manage that?" Jane sat down on the bed and rested her head in her hands. Then looked back up at Maura.
It was at that moment that Maura realized how much of a toll this was taking on Jane. She took a good look at her for the first time in days. She saw the bags under her eyes and the inflamed conjunctiva making her eyes red and tired looking. She hadn't realized it then but now that she thought about it Jane had seemed tired all week. She walked over and sat down next to Jane on the bed and took her hand. "We will manage it Jane. We'll spend the next week at the Ritz if that's what you need. You look tired are you ok? Now that's a stupid question isn't it? Of course you're not ok. But you look as if you could sleep for three days straight. Have you not been sleeping well?" Jane lowered her head again but not before Maura caught a sheepish grin on her face. "Have you been staying up watching the house?"
Jane looked up at her again and gave her a tired smile. "I guess where you're concerned I've become a little OCD. I wake up a lot throughout the night and I get up and check the windows and doors then I lay and watch you sleep until I fall asleep. Then a few hours later I go through it all over again."
"How many times a night do you go through this routine?" Maura leaned over and kissed Jane's cheek.
"A few times." Maura gave her the look that said that answer wasn't sufficient. "Ok 7 or 8 times. Ya happy?"
"Oh Jane I am so sorry to be putting you through this. When this is all over let's take some time off and go on vacation somewhere. Somewhere where no one can find us and there's no cell towers so no one can call us. You can sleep until noon every day. How does that sound? I think I know just the place."
"That sounds great Maura. I'll leave it in your capable hands to make that happen and I'll put myself in those same capable hands when this is all over with. I'll talk to Cavanaugh while we're at the precinct today and ask for the time off and as soon as we put Ian away we can take off. But today you will learn to use a gun and I will learn to be a model." She gave Maura her patented smirk the stood up and pulled Maura up with her. "Now get dressed so we can get out of here. I'm going to go get the paper since no one else seemed to think to do it." She pulled Maura in for a deep kiss before she left the room.
She walked out to the living room and saw the her Ma and Frankie had already left so she walked out the front door and down to the end of the driveway and picked up the paper and opened it up as she walked back to the house. She felt eyes on her but she did her best to ignore it as she walked back up the driveway and closed the door behind her. She met Maura at the kitchen counter and she handed Maura all but the sports page and took the coffee cup Maura handed her. Maura opened the paper and sat across from Jane and started to read the paper. She knew they'd be leaving shortly because it didn't take Jane long to read the sports page so s he started on the Lifestyles page because it was light reading and there wasn't much to it. She'd read the rest later. She watched Jane gulp down the last of her coffee and fold the paper and place it next to her on the counter. "So I guess it's time to go Detective Rizzoli. Shall we depart the premises?"
"Well Doctor Isles I guess now would be as good a time as any." She stood up and reached out her hand and Maura handed her her coffee cup and she walked over to the sink and rinsed them out and placed them in the dishwasher then reached up and grabbed two travel mugs and prepared coffee for both of them then handed one to Maura and walked out to the garage. She pulled her gun from its holster and opened the door to the garage. She pushed the button to open the garage door then carefully walked outside to make sure it was clear. She then motioned for Maura to get in the car as she walked backwards and got in the driver's seat. She watched the rearview mirror the whole time she backed out. She waved to the patrol car as it pulled in behind them. She let out the breath she had been holding and relaxed just a bit as they drove away.
Maura watched as some of the tension was released from Jane's shoulders and again she felt guilty for being the cause of all of this. Every day her anger towards Ian grew and she was getting to the point where she knew if it came down to it she wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger if Ian put her in the position to have to make a choice. She just prayed it didn't come down to that. She reached over and placed her hand on top of Jane's hand on the steering wheel and Jane wrapped her fingers around Maura's and lowered both of their hands to her lap. Jane pulled into Maura's parking spot at work and they both walked into the precinct hand in hand. When the elevator doors closed Maura turned to Jane and kissed her and soon the kiss became very heated. Maura pulled away just as the elevator dinged letting them know they were on the 3rd floor. They walked into the bullpen together and waited for the men to look up and notice them.
"Hey Jane, good to see you two." Korsak stood up and walked toward the two women. "What ya doin' here?"
"I thought I take Maura down to the firing range and teach her how to use my gun. I want her to be able to protect herself just in case." It went unsaid but they all knew the rest of the sentence was 'in case something happens to me.'
"Feels like it's been forever since you've been around here. Hey Maura how are you holding up?"
"It's been rather tense but nothing a few days off won't fix." She turned to Jane. "Speaking of which."
"Yeah let's go talk to Cavanaugh."
"Talk to Cavanaugh about what?" Both women turned around to face their boss Sean Cavanaugh. "Let's go in my office." Both women smiled at their boss and followed him and to his office. "You look like crap Rizzoli."
"Don't beat around the bush Boss tell me how I really look." They all laughed because they were used to the Lieutenants straight forward attitude. At least you knew where you stood with him. "We were wondering if we could have some time off after all this is over with."
He turned towards Maura and although she was wore casual dress she still looked lovely but through the artfully applied makeup there was still a hint of darkness under her eyes showing how stressed she really was. "You too Doctor Isles?"
"Well I don't have a mouse in my pocket Sean, of course that means her." Jane spoke up while she stood next to Maura.
"Why would you have a mouse in your pocket Jane? Not only would that open you up to being bitten by said mouse, you could be asking…" Jane's hand over her mouth stopped her from saying anything more.
"Yes we are both asking for time off as soon as we deal with Ian." Jane removed her hand from Maura's mouth.
"At this moment Jane does speak for both of us. I feel that time away for about a week would be beneficial for both of us." Maura looked to Jane then back at Sean.
"I think that can be arranged. So is that all you wanted today?" He smiled at the two women.
"I'm going to take Maura down to the firing range to teach her to use my gun so she can protect herself. Then I want to get her a special permit to carry it while Ian is still out there."
"So Doc ya going be packing heat huh?"
"Heat cannot be packed in any way so how would I do that?" She looked confusedly back and forth between Jane and Sean.
"Jane can explain that later." He turned back to Jane. "Let me know if there is anything I can do for the two of you. Anything."
"Thanks Boss. Ready to go Maura?" Maura nodded and said goodbye to Sean.
"Vince, Barry we'll see you later." Maura rested her hand on Jane's arm as they turned to leave the bullpen.
"Hey Maura would you mind if we came down and watched?" Frost asked before they had a chance to leave.
"Sure Barry that would be fine. But if I do badly I want you to leave and not tell anyone." She placed herself between both men and took their arms and walked out of the office with Jane trailing behind.
Jane loved it when Maura was open and tactile like she was today. Maura wasn't a touchy feely person so when she was like this it was special. The three people walking ahead of her were three of the most important people in her life and she was glad they were friends. She if anything ever happened to her that Frost and Korsak would take care of Maura. They had already proven it time after time. "Guys you can come if you keep quiet. No laughing or picking on her ok?"
"Scouts honor." Korsak held up three fingers like the Boy Scouts do.
"Oh shove it I know you were never a scout so don't even try that crap on me." They were laughing as they stepped of the elevator on the lowest level of the police station. Most people weren't even aware that there was a shooting range within the building but it came in handy on days like today. "Hey Victor how ya doing today?" Jane said to one of the instructors.
"Hey Rizzoli what are the four of you up to today? Should I expect trouble?"
"Nah I'm just going to teach Maura how to shoot a gun."
"Well Doc you couldn't have picked a better teacher. She's one of the best shooters I've ever seen." He smiled at the look on Jane's face. "For a girl."
"Oh you didn't just say that. Tell me you did not just say that." Jane turned to him in mock anger. The two of them went through this routine whenever Jane came down to the range. "Well you're not bad for a girl yourself. Now leave us alone so I can teach my girlfriend to shoot so she can shoot you and get you out of my life. Come on Maura let's go." She took Maura's hand and led her to one of the free stations. She handed her a head set then leaned forward to talk over the shooting going on. "As you can tell it gets really loud in here put these on and we can start." She handed Maura the loaded gun then walked behind her to correct her stance and the way she was holding the gun then motioned for her to shoot.
The first shots went wide of the target so Jane walked up behind her again and reached out to hold her arms. There was not an inch to spare between the two bodies and she couldn't resist placing a kiss on her neck which drew some whistles from the men around them. She held Maura's hands and placed her finger over Maura's on the trigger and slowly pulled her finger back. The shot landed dead center of the silhouettes chest and Maura began to jump excitedly. "I did it! Look it hit right in the middle of his chest."
"Maura stop!" Jane grabbed her and turned her back towards the shooting range. "Don't ever turn away from the targets with a loaded gun like that. No matter how happy you are." Jane watched the elation drain from Maura's face and she felt a little bad but she had to take this serious. "You did good but there's a protocol we follow here. Never turn away from downrange with a loaded gun without putting the safety on first." Jane knew something was up when Maura gave her a sly smile.
"I did well Jane not good, well. And as you so diligently taught me one night…" She held up the gun. "I did put the safety on."
"Well at least one woman around here knows how to handle a gun." It was said good naturedly because almost everyone on the force knew how good Jane could shoot.
"Watch it Smith or that gun may end up somewhere the sun don't shine and you'll be walking rather strangely for weeks." More whoops and whistles come from the men around them.
"Hey Rizzoli can you show me how to hold my gun?" Jane recognized the voice and the smile disappeared from her face and then tension could be felt in the room.
"Crowe if you don't know how to do it yet I sure as hell can't help you nor do I want to. I try to refrain from touching another cop's gun if he fails to handle it properly. Maybe you should take some remedial classes." This garnered some oohs and ahs from the other cops but it was no longer good natured.
"Maybe it's because you don't know how to handle a man's gun." The menacing tone didn't stop Jane from walking right up in front of Crowe.
"I've never had any complaints in the past."
"And I have no complaints either." All eyes turned to the furthest stall from the group as Agent Dean turned to face the group. Jane couldn't believe Dean was here and heard all of this and the last thing she wanted was for him to come to her defense but apparently she didn't have a choice in the matter. "She's very good at what she does between the sheets." With that said he turned and walked out the door.
Crowe stood there with his mouth hanging open not having a quick comeback. Jane turned back to Maura. "Let's ignore the assholes in the room and continue with your training." They walked back to the station they had been using. "Now try keeping your arms levels and squeeze the trigger gently." She stood back as Maura took another shot and smiled when it hit just to the left of the shot they'd shot together. She leaned forward to lift one of the ear covers. "Great, just keep doing it just like that." She backed up again. Maura fired another couple of rounds then turned to Jane and smiled and all Jane could do was smile back and nod her approval. "Now fire off a bunch all at once."
Maura turned back around and took a deep breath then fired off all of the bullets that were left in the clip then placed the gun on the counter and pressed the button to bring the silhouette closer to them. She removed her headgear then took the target down and walked away from Jane. She tapped Crowe on the shoulder and showed him her target with almost every shot in the center of the chest and waited for Crowe to remove his headgear. "Now you have two women to worry about who both know how to fire a gun. But remember, if Jane and I put our heads together they would never be able to find your body." She turned with a smile and walked back to Jane.
The small group of men in the room began to applaud and Maura curtsied to acknowledge their applause. They all watched as Crowe holstered his gun and left the room and the applause increased in volume. "So let's shoot some more." Jane said as the applause died down. Maura took her place at their station and replaced her headset then picked up the gun. Jane showed her how to remove the clip and add another then turned her towards the target. Maura aimed downrange and she started slow but then picked up the speed at which she fired round after round until once again the clip was empty.
She turned to Jane with a huge grin on her face. "I think I'm getting the hang of it." She turned back and pushed the button and brought the silhouette to her and looked at the holes then handed it to Jane. "That's good right?"
"Yeah Maura that very good." She handed the target to Korsak and he whistled as he looked at the close grouping of hits on the target.
"I'm glad you're on our side Maura. That's really good shooting." Jane watched as Maura blushed under Korsak's praise.
"Damn remind me never to piss you off. She could do some real damage if she put her mind to it." Frost said with a note of awe in his voice.
"Well I think you're ready to take on the big bad wolf should he show up at our door. What do you think Maura? Feel ready?" Jane smiled at the look of pride on Maura's face, she'd been missing that look these past few weeks. It was just one more thing Ian took from her. Her pride. Jane was glad she could help put that look back.
"Yes Jane I think I am ready. Thanks to you." She walked up and placed her hand over Jane's heart. "Thank you so very much." She went up on tip toe and kissed her gently then pulled away.
"Ah hem…men still in the room, watching." Jane looked over Maura's shoulder at Frost and the men all lined up and watching them.
"What's the matter guys are you jealous cuz' I got her first? Well eat your hearts out she's all mine." Jane took Maura's hand and walked out of the room while the men just stared.
"That was hot." One of the cops said.
"Don't let Jane hear you say that, she would kill you." Korsak said to the group as a whole.
"Yeah but that doesn't mean it wasn't hot."
Korsak turned and left the room shaking his head and Frost followed behind and they both laughed as they entered the elevator. "I sure would hate to be Ian if he comes face to face with Maura and she has that gun in her hand. He may lose something besides his life if he doesn't watch out."
"I hope she shoots to kill so we're done with that piece of crap Faulkner once and for all." Frost said as he exited the elevator and headed for the squad room.
When they walked into the squad room Cavanaugh was handing Maura a card. "This is a temporary conceal and carry permit, we can issue them for extraordinary reasons, and if this isn't extraordinary nothing is. This means you can carry a gun until a permanent permit is available in about three or four days."
"Thank you sir I really appreciate you doing this for me. I feel better already knowing I can protect myself and my family on my own." Maura reached out and shook his hand.
"Don't go shooting up the greater Boston area ok?" He smiled as he walked back into his office.
Maura turned and beamed at Frost, Korsak and Jane and looked as if she had just been awarded the highest prize in the country. "Thank you all for helping me with this I really appreciate it."
"Hey sweetie you did all the work. Remind me to never piss you off because you sure can shoot that thing." Jane smiled lovingly at Maura forgetting for a moment they weren't alone.
"Don't you just love it when she goes all goo goo eyed like that?" Frost walked up and batted his eyelashes at Maura pretending to imitate Jane's besotted look.
"Watch it Frost I might just sic my girlfriend on you, word is she's pretty handy to have around. I'd love to see what she could do to you." Jane said with a smile.
"Ooh I love to see what she could do too." Frost jumped back to avoid Jane's arm as she swung to hit him.
Maura took Jane's arm. "Don't worry Jane, he's not my type." With that she took Jane's arm and turned around and walked them both out of the room to the sound of laughing voices behind them. Jane turned to Maura and couldn't help laughing at the amused look on Maura's face.
"God I love it when you get all cave woman like that. You sure put Barry in his place."
"I did didn't I? It sure felt good." Maura reached down and took Jane's hand as they walked towards the back door. Maura started to reach for it and Jane stopped her with her hand on the knob.
"Let me check first, we can't become distracted like that again. I almost forgot and that could get us both killed. Let me go first. Stay back around the corner until I come for you. If I don't come for you in 5 minutes run back and get Frost and Korsak. I love you. Do not come out that door. Promise me you will not come out that door alone." Jane took her in her arms and kissed her. "Promise me."
Maura looked up at Jane with fear in her eyes and reluctantly answered her. "I promise."