Glazed Feelings

Part 49

Rizzoli and Isles are the property of TNT and Tess Gerritson. I am just borrowing them for some minor angst. Well ya can't recover without something to do with your time, right?

"Jane" Aine said quietly causing the eyes of the detective to flutter open. Jane smiled as sleep clouded her features. It took her a moment to wake and then she saw the pensive look on Aine's face.

"What?" Jane asked curious. She noticed Maura wasn't around. "It's not Maura? Tell me nothing is wrong with Maura." Jane said becoming agitated suddenly.

"No Jane, Maura is fine just gone to get something to eat." Aine said reassuring his friend. Jane's heart rate returned slowly to normal when she noticed Aine holding a folder looking like he lost his best friend.

"I need a favor a really big one." Aine's voice strengthened. Jane nodded and Aine came over to her laying a folder in front of her. Jane scanned the case number. She then opened the file. Pictures of a couple brutally beaten, the wife raped, and then both stabbed to death slid across her lap.

"Aine? What is this?" Jane asked as she examined the pictures her brain feeling the teasing temptation of working a case after such a long period dormant. Aine stepped closer rolling the table for the bed over. He placed the file on it and spread the information out.

"We had a double homicide here before you came. We have been investigating the case, but we have hit a dead end. The two women were brutally beaten; both raped, and then stabbed." Aine said as Jane studied the information.

"These are two women? But this one looks like a man." Jane said startled as she continued to read. Aine sighed.

"He…she…was preparing for sex reassignment surgery. We have interviewed the family, both were very supportive. We interviewed friends, they all seem supportive too. The wife worked as a stock broker. The husband…partner was a renowned artist. None of their friends seem to fit the view. We check previous boyfriends and girlfriends, no luck. Nothing seems out of place with them. The house is three beach houses south of the one you and Maura are staying at currently. The suspect or suspects broke in through the front door by banging out the glass, reached in, and unlocked the door. They headed into the bedroom where they restrained the partners, and proceeded with the beatings."

"Anything stolen?" Jane asked Aine as she continued to read and glance at the photos. Aine shook his head.

"No, nothing was taken. Credit cards, cash, even the car was still there." Aine said softly. Jane looked up with a questioning look.

"Who found them?" Jane asked.

"The maid who cleans the house. She cleans most of those along your row of beach houses as they are owned by the same property company who manages them. The partner attempted to protect the wife. He…she fought off the attacker. We removed DNA from under the fingernails and another substance. We thought maybe Maura would look it over with you." Aine said clearing his throat softly when Jane went back to studying the information.

"The bodies still available?" Jane asked curiously. Aine nodded.

"I told the parents they would be released soon." Aine said though the pressure to release them now was greater than before. He wanted Maura to look over their pathologists findings. Reddig their pathologist was good, but he was in his late fifties looking toward retirement. He had agreed that Dr. Isles could probably find something he didn't. He was rather excited about it too. "I could use your feedback. I don't need you to go anywhere or do anything. I just need you to look over the information, the forensics, etc… and see if we missed something. I know you Jane. You have a mind like a steel trap. Nothing escapes it and it can puzzle out information most can't. So I am asking you, will you help me?" Jane was about to answer when the door to her room slammed.

"No Jane! You are recuperating from serious injuries and trauma." Maura sternly replied her voice like ice. Jane let out a slow breath. The two officers had never heard the quiet entry of Dr. Isles or seen her paling face as Aine asked for what he wanted from Jane.

"Aine, can you step outside for a moment while I talk to Maura." Jane asked the officer as Aine rose to comply.

"There is nothing to talk about. You just promised me Jane you would do what was necessary. Either you meant it or you didn't." Maura's voice was final. Jane dropped her head remembering all the hell she had put Maura through and what she had promised. Jane Rizzoli was good for her promises, but she hadn't been to Maura recently. The only one she had kept was to fight to survive. Aine felt caught between a rock and a hard place. He had expected this might happen, but he was desperate. He wanted to bring closure to the family and friends of the couple. He was sorely afraid that would not happen now. Jane's head rose with a disheartened look. Carefully the detective placed all the information back in the folder and handed it back to Aine.

"I'm sorry Aine. I am required to follow doctor's orders at this time. I cannot help you." Jane's wooden voice responded. She hated handing back the folder especially when she had seen some things that seemed out of place, just not quite right. Aine nodded looking over at the fuming doctor whom Jane loved. He should have brought it to both of them, not sought Jane out alone.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have presumed you would be ready to take on this small task yet. Maybe, when you're more recovered you would take a look." Aine said walking toward the door where he received a glare from Doctor Isles. He stopped looking at Maura momentarily. "I would never have endangered Jane. I just wanted her to examine the case. You know how good she is doctor. I am sorry I have caused you two hardship in your relationship." Aine looked briefly toward Jane. "Sorry Jane." He then walked out of the room. It was quiet for about five minutes while both Jane and Maura waited for the other. It was Maura who blew first.

"How could you be so callous toward your health?" Maura yelled the sharp click of her high heels resounding louder than normal as she walked toward the bed. "What is it going to take to get you to slow down and recover?"

"Maura he was only asking for a consult. I wouldn't be going anywhere nor doing anything just studying the information." Jane said interrupting Maura.

"Jane Clementine Rizzoli don't you lie to me. It starts out that way. Then you want to interview a suspect. Then you want to see the scene. Before you know it you're running down some alleyway being shot at or hit over the back or tackling a suspect." Maura's measured and cold voice resounded, but there was a detectable quiver that helped Jane understand where all this displaced anger in Maura was coming from.

"I promise there…." Jane began firmly only to be cut off by Maura. Maura was wringing her hands now as she approached Jane's bed.

"You promise? You promise? A fat lot of good that will do when you don't even keep those promises." Maura said throwing Jane's words back at her. Maura continued her tirade. Jane sighed taking a minute to think while Maura was yelling at her. She knew it came from fear and worry. So Jane needed to reassure her somehow. It was time to take the lead again. When Maura came near Jane the detective reached over grabbed her by the arms and pulled her into the bed. It so startled Maura she stopped talking and looked at Jane. Jane kissed her not releasing the doctor until she relaxed under Jane ministrations. Jane continued the heated kiss waiting for Maura to totally acquiesce. Finally, ten minutes later Jane pulled Maura further into the bed and tucked her into her right side.

"I love you Maura Isles. I know I am stubborn, obstinate, and frustrating. I will not do this if you do not want me to, however, I ask you to hear me out." Jane watched Maura's fearful eyes close for a moment. A small shiver passed through the doctor's body and when she opened her eyes again they were clear.

"All right, I will hear you out. When you finish though, if I am still not convinced you will abide by what I say. Agreed?" Maura said calmly the raging anger and fear now gone from her voice as she was sheltered in Jane's arms. Jane nodded in agreement.

"Aine has asked me to consult nothing more. These people were a same sex couple. They had loving, supportive friends and family who are in distress over what happened to them. Aine and his people have done all they could, but are no closer to solving their murder. I looked at the folder for thirty minutes while you were gone and have already found five or six things that don't seem right two straight from the statements of a family member and a friend. I can also tell something is not right with one of the toxicology reports and some notations Dr. Reddig wrote into the autopsy. I may not be physically able to do my job, but my mind is sound. If I can give these friends and family some peace by just sitting and thinking, then tell me love where is the harm in it?" Jane asked softly. She patiently waited for Maura's response knowing the pathologist was trying to come up with every excuse she could that was a logical NO response. Finally, after about fifteen minutes of silence Jane felt Maura grab her and pull her closer.

"Damn you Jane Rizzoli for being so logical." Maura pushed back a little to look into Jane's eyes. "I don't want to agree to this because I have seen you when a case grabs hold of you. You can do so much damage with just the thinking Jane because you stop eating, sleeping, caring for yourself." Maura said as she groaned and let her head fall against Jane's chest. Still the detective waited on the doctor only wrapping the doctor in her arms and kissing the top of her head. Patience was Jane's key. Once a murder had been committed she really had all the time in the world. Yes, the first forty-eight hours were the key and normally solved eighty-five percent of the homicides, but the other fifteen percent took dogged persistence and patience. Jane used the same tactics with Maura and ya know what, sometimes it actually worked. Jane chuckled softly to herself hugging Maura tighter. "All right, you can work the case. No physical exertion though beyond your mental capacity. You will not, I repeat NOT do more than you are allowed by a doctor's advice. Understood!" Maura said as she stared Jane down. Jane for herself gave Maura a pouty look, but inside she was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"All right, I agree to those terms. I do have one more thing to ask of you." Jane said softly trying to give the impression of a dog with its tale tucked between its legs. Maura eyed her knowing she wasn't going to like it.

"What Jane?" Maura asked as Jane smiled.

"Could you go over the autopsy reports and if needed, do the autopsy again?" Jane asked with a small childish whine. Maura lay back against the detective shaking her head.

"Yes, Jane. Now will you rest? I will let Aine know we will look it over when you arrive home in two days. All right?" Maura said grumpily. Jane smiled to herself, but acted sufficiently intimidated by the medical examiner.

"Okay. I love you Maura." Jane closed her eyes and started to drift off to sleep.

"Oh, Jane? You are not fooling me for one minute so do not think I don't know your acting like you have been persuaded for a reason. Che il dolore reale nell'obiettivo che amo." Maura ended in Italian. Jane opened her eyes and stared down at the doctor who had relaxed into her shoulder.

"Ma son oil suo dolore nell'obiettivo." Jane whispered softly into Maura's ear. Maura smiled as sleep washed over her.

"Si ama il mio." as her voice whispered out and washed into sleep. Jane followed seconds behind her arms wrapped around her love and a smile on her face.

The Italian translation of what Maura and Jane whispered to each other. Maura: what a royal pain in the butt I love. Jane: But I am your pain in the butt. Maura: Yes love mine.