Ready for another chapter? Read to find out! Enjoy if you can, you'll know what I mean when you get there. What a horrible pitch for a story chapter right? haha


The next couple of days had past before Angela got released from the hospital. She was currently residing on Maura's couch, much to the dismay of Jane, but she offered to be around when she didn't go into work, plus Jane had to do some more research concerning her possible career change, something she had yet to tell her mother. She honestly just didn't want to get her mother's hopes up just like the whole doctor's appointment that was in a couple of days for her. She was in the dining room typing on her laptop, Angela looked over at her on occasion, "Jane what's got you typing so much over there?" she asked.

"Just things Ma. The other day Maura was talking about writing a memoir on her life just thought maybe I could do something as well," Jane explained, just deciding to go on the easiest approach, even if she wasn't being honest. "I hope that the twins are enjoying their trip with the boys at the zoo, it's nice to get some quiet time. I mean I don't mean I don't like the company of the twins... but..."

"I know what you mean, trust me I was a parent and I always enjoyed being home while you kids were off to school and Frank was working. It's not selfish to want time to yourself."

"I'm not a parent Ma, just a very exhausted aunt. A legal gaurdian, I'll never be their parent," Jane went back to the attention on her laptop.

"I know sweetie, I know you're just the aunt, but I also know you want to have a child of your own, so I just meant..."

"I get it Ma," Jane sighed, closing her laptop. "I really miss her Ma, that's why I suggested my brothers and Korsak take the twins to the zoo. I'm sort of in a funk today over it and I don't want the twins to see me like this."

Angela looked at her daughter sadly, "Did you want to go get some fresh air? I'm tired of just laying here."

"Ma, the doctor said it's best if you just take it easy, please follow his orders, I'm trying my hardest to follow my doctor's orders," Jane wheeled her way into the kitchen grabbing some water and a pre-made smoothie for her mother. She then went to join her mother on the couch, leaning slightly against her. "I don't know why I miss her so much today out of all days. It's not like it's raining or gross outside. I wish I knew what it all meant."

"It's okay to miss her even when the weather is nice. Maybe Vince could take you to her grave once they get back."

Jane shrugged, "Yeah maybe, I'm sure the twins would like to see her," she shifted to lay down her head resting on Angela's lap the best she could with Angela's baby bump protruding into her space.

"I don't remember the last time you've done this Janie, rest your head on my lap."

"Probably when I found out I was getting a brother the first time around. You know I never really found much comfort in snuggling up with my mother," she rested her hands on her stomach looking up at the ceiling. "I much rather do this with Maura, plus she doesn't have a baby in her stomach trying to push me off your lap. Can you run your fingers through my hair? It tends to calm me down."

Angela nodded, "Anything else?"

"Tell me that everything is going to be okay? That everything is happening just how it should."

"I would, but I don't even know why you're in your rut outside of missing Camille."

Jane sighed, "I'm thinking about a career change," she decided to just admit. "It's a lot to consider and I might just be realizing how much I'd miss being a Detective. My job means the world to me, but so does my family, I'm tired of seeing people hurting when I get injured or almost die. I can only handle so much, and I know you guys feel the same way. Sure what I have in mind to do will still help people, will make a difference but solving crimes, interrogating people, making them feel like they'd piss their pants if they make one wrong move, I'd miss that. Maybe the most exciting part of my life will be over then."

"Jane now you're just talking silly, you have a very exciting life, and you have a lot of things going for you. A wife who loves and supports you, those twins will always make your life exciting, and I highly doubt our family could ever be boring. Things will be alright in the end, and you'll be safe, that's the main priority here right?"

She nodded at her mother's words, "Yeah it is, the biggest priority not having Maura worry about me so much. The precinct has been my home for so long, why does change have to be so difficult. I know it's for the best, but I can't help but feel a little empty."

"It takes time to get adjusted to things Jane, I'm sure that you'll be out of your rut in no time," she reassured her. "So what kind of career change are you considering?"

"Maura and I kind of discussed it together, there's two options, one I would consider a side job and the other well, I'll still be in law enforcement but I'd be more safe and I'd be more of a instructor in a way. I've been looking into it, I'd have to take some sort of courses in both careers. She thought that I'd be a good life coach, helping people figure things out since I find a joy in trying to help Frankie with his situations, so I have practice in that area. And training potential police officers will still fulfill my want to not become a civilian, I don't think that's something I could handle, you know. Having a badge and a gun is just sort of a part of me, I feel like I can still serve and protect."

"You sound excited talking about your potential change in careers, maybe you should focus on that excitement instead of what you'd be missing out of not being a detective anymore," Angela smiled causing Jane to nod and relax a bit.

"You might be onto something there Ma," Jane closed her eyes, relaxing against her mother. "I'm glad you're stuck in this house with me."

"Well I would hate for you to be all up in your thoughts alone in this house."

"It definitely fills the void that silence would have produced. We never really just talk anymore Ma, I'm glad we can do that without getting all stressed out, like I finally feel so relaxed. Do you mind if I just rest here for a bit?"

"Of course sweetie, you can stay here as long as you'd like. Not like you'll let me up to go do anything."

"It's what the doctor wants and we really should start obeying doctors orders, even though I know sitting still is a struggle for me and you. Always the busy bodies," Jane chuckled, closing her eyes. "I just wish Julian would stop trying to kick me off of your lap."

"He needs to learn I'll always have space for my daughter. You're very important to me Jane."

"Well I would hope so Ma you're always so involved," Jane looked up at her mother. "I know I don't say it often, but I love you Ma."

"I know sweetie, I love you too. Get some rest now, I'll let you know when I have to get up to use the bathroom."

"I'm sure I'll just be shoved by mister kicky over here," Jane chuckled before closing her eyes drifting off to sleep.


Maura spent most of her time at work in her office, working on files and updating her autobiography of more topics. She finally decided after a few hours that she should probably go eat something it was pretty much time for early dinner, she knew Jane would scold her if she knew she wasn't eating.

Maura went up to the cafe and greeted Lydia, she was cleaning and she looked sort of distracted. "Good evening Lydia, I'm here for my usual salad. Are you doing okay?"

Lydia looked up and shrugged, "Yeah, I'm okay I guess... just thinking of some stuff going on and I sort of made a mistake. Like a big mistake. I'll get your salad," Lydia turned and got Maura her food.

"What kind of mistake Lydia?" Maura was curious of what the blonde woman did.

"I wouldn't want to bore you with it all, I shouldn't have brought it up. Enjoy your salad, I pride you for how well you eat. I should take up on your habits."

"I can help you work on it, if you'd like, trying with Jane seems like a lost cause most of the time. You'd have to be willing to try though," Maura smiled and Lydia nodded.

"You know you seem to be the only one who is nice to me."

"I know how it feels being like an outsider, feeling unwanted, I did a lot during my years of youth. Tommy's your age and he's just finally figuring things out," Maura took her salad and went to go sit down. Lydia sighed before joining her, talking to Maura was a delight, she felt like she could talk to her.

"Maybe I can explain what's going on then, I can trust you right?" Lydia bit her bottom lip and Maura nodded.

"Of course you can trust me."

"Well, can you promise not to bring it up to Jane, or Frankie? I know that's asking for a lot especially with what happened."

"That is asking for a lot, it makes me think you're talking about someone that has been out of jail for almost two weeks now, am I correct to make that assumption?" Maura took a bite of her salad and Lydia nodded.

"I well... sorta, there's something else though, something that concerns Frankie. I'm not even sure how to bring it up to him, he's made it obvious the past couple of days he doesn't want to be involved with me, it's kind of why I found comfort in Frank when he visited two nights ago. I know it was dumb but Frank has a way of talking his way into things, making me feel wanted, he had no one else to turn to so I took him in. He could have gone back to jail if he didn't find a residence, he started plumbing again so he's good on the job front."

Maura sighed, now she knew why Lydia didn't want Frankie or Jane to find out, if they knew his whereabouts, but how could Maura possibly keep this from Jane. "Lydia, I think Jane and Frankie has a right to know where Frank is, I don't think hiding him at your place is a good idea, especially if you know he's using you."

"Maura, you have to understand how upset I am, how I reacted finding out that Frankie slept with me when he was drunk just because he was lonely."

"Wait, you slept with Frankie?" Maura asked in a whisper and Lydia nodded, tears building up in her ears.

"I might be pregnant... I took a test right before Frank came to visit me, I felt vulnerable and well, I didn't realize how much I've missed him, I know it's stupid but I love Frank, he made a mistake and he's doing better. I could have a future with him," Lydia wiped her eyes.

"He's taking advantage of you Lydia, he's making you believe he's worth something, but he's not. Frank is a dangerous man, he's obviously not stable."

Lydia stood up, "I thought you would be more understanding, you let your killer mob boss father back in your life and you've forgiven him for the things he's done, and Frank hasn't killed anyone."

"Lydia, I didn't mean to upset you, I'm just trying to wrap my head around it. If you're pregnant I think Frankie has a right to know, you shouldn't hide that from him."

"There's no point Maura, he doesn't want me so why does he need to know? It'll just screw his life up, do you really think I want this baby without a father for it? Of course not, Frank wants to be there for me throughout the whole thing, if I really am pregnant. I knew I shouldn't have told you anything, you're just going to tell Jane now."

"You told Frank you were pregnant before you told Frankie?" Maura didn't have a good feeling about any of this.

"Yes, but he doesn't know it's Frankie's if I am pregnant. I have another pregnancy test in my purse, I'm afraid to take it."

"I think it's better to go see a doctor, those tests aren't even 100 percent accurate."

"Will you come with me then?" Lydia sat back down. "If it turns out I'm not pregnant we don't have to tell Jane anything, do we? If it's negative I don't have to let anyone know."

"If you are pregnant though, you need to tell Frankie, it's the right thing to do, I'm sure you realize this right?"

Lydia nodded, "I guess you're right, so I'm almost off, should we go then? I mean the faster this gets done the quicker we can decide what to do."

Maura nodded, "I should be done with work in an hour, I can take you."

Lydia smiled, "Thank you Maura, I'm afraid to do this alone."

Maura finished off her salad and got up from the table, "I'll come back upstairs in about an hour, wait for me, okay?"

"Of course Maura, thanks for not freaking out too much about everything I told you."

Maura didn't say anything else before she left the cafe and headed back downstairs. She still planned to tell Jane about Frank, and she really hoped that Lydia wasn't pregnant.


Eventually the twins, Korsak and Jane's brothers came back from the zoo, and they had brought pizza back home with them, the boys started to set up the table as the twins stayed by Jane.

"How was the zoo?" Jane asked, hugging the twins.

"It was great, Uncle Tommy let me and Todd buy you and Maura something, is Maura home?" Kate asked.

"Not yet, she should be home eventually though."

"We can still give Jane her own gift," Todd told Kate and she nodded.

"Yeah, I guess that we can," Kate dug something out of their bag, handing it to Jane. It was a giraffe. "We got you a giraffe because you're really tall and we seen a baby giraffe who tried to get up to walk and he looked like you trying to walk out of your wheelchair."

Jane just looked at the girl with a smirk, "You really got jokes, don't you? What did you get Maura then?"

"A stuffed tortoise, what else?" Todd grinned, showing her before sticking it into the bag. "It kinda looks like Chad."

"So did grandpa Korsak and my brothers behave themselves?"

Kate and Todd looked at each other and laughed, "The monkeys tried to fling poo at Tommy, he tried to use Frankie as a shield."

Jane smirked, "Oh is that so?" She was glad the kids were home, sure she enjoyed her time with her mother but she loved seeing the kids excitement. "So I was wondering if you guys wanted to go somewhere with me a little later, I was going to have grandpa Korsak drive us. We can go talk to your mother, I'm sure she would love to hear you talk about your day."

"Jane I don't think mama's spirit just lingers above her grave, there's probably a bunch of stuff to do in the afterlife. She has other family up there who she's probably with," Kate shrugged with a frown.

"I'm sure she will always make time for her kids, you guys don't have to come if you'd prefer not to, just thought I'd offer. I know going there makes you sad but sometimes it's good to just talk to her."

Todd shrugged, "I don't want to go, but can you tell mama that we miss her?" he spoke with tears in his eyes.

Jane nodded, "Yeah of course," she patted their heads. "Want to go join them for dinner now?" The twins nodded and walked to the dining room, Jane got off of the couch to join them, in her wheelchair of course. After Kate mentioned why she got a giraffe she decided just to be in the chair for now. She sat in between her mother and Korsak.

"Your mother told me you wanted to go see Camille. We can eat and then go, it might just be a little dark when we get there though."

"That's fine, I just think it's something I need to do, you know?"

Korsak nodded, patting her leg, "Yeah, I understand. I'm here for you kid."

As they ate their dinner Jane grew curious of why Maura wasn't home yet, she said she had an errand to do then she'd be right home, but that was almost an hour ago. She left the table after she'd gotten done eating, she dialed Maura's number, it rang and Maura didn't pick up. "What the hell Maura, pick up your phone," Jane left in her voicemail message and went to go see Korsak who was doing dishes while everyone else was watching television. "Hey Korsak, I think we need to go find Maura, she's not answering her phone, I find that real concerning."

"Maybe she got caught up in work."

"She said she had to run an errand then she'd be home, she never told me what kind of errand it was."

"Maybe she went to go visit Camille's grave, I don't think she would have her phone on her if she was there. Good thing we're going there anyways, right?"

Jane nodded, "Let's go then, if she's not there I have no idea where else she could be."


After Maura had taken Lydia to the doctor and found out her results, she started driving back to Lydia's house, she had no transportation so Maura decided she would be nice to drive her home.

"Lydia, are you sure this is the way back to your house? I feel like we've been going around in circles."

Lydia nodded, "I know where my own house is Maura."

Maura groaned, this is what she gets for being nice, she pulled over so she could get her phone out, "Can we please just use a GPS, this is ridiculous Lydia."

"Fine, but I do know where I'm going," she typed in her address and handed the phone back to Maura. Maura looked and frowned.

"We're going in the opposite direction, next time we're going to use the GPS the whole time, that's even if I take you anywhere again," she tried to put the car in drive, but Lydia rested her hand on Maura's to stop the motion. "Okay, what is it Lydia? Why are you avoiding me taking you home? Frank should be thrilled you aren't pregnant, right?"

Lydia shrugged, "I guess so, but he was so happy and he wanted to support me, what if he thinks I lied to him?"

"I knew you were scared of Frank. You said he's changed, so what is there to worry about?"

"I don't know, but I'm sorry for wasting your time, we can go now," Lydia removed her hand, and let Maura drive her home, the rest of the ride was spent in silence except for the GPS telling Maura where to turn.

When Maura finally pulled up to Lydia's place she noticed the girl tense up, "You want me to walk you up to the door, don't you?"

"Can you please?" Lydia asked and Maura sighed, only taking her keys out of the car, making sure Lydia got out, when she did they walked up to her front door. Lydia got out her key and unlocked the front door.

"Lydia, is that you?" Frank shouted from inside the house. "You're late for making me dinner, so I ordered some food, I really hate eating food that gets delivered here. Where were you?"

The tone of his voice made Maura tense up, she could tell why Lydia was avoiding to come home.

"I told you I had to go to the doctor's Frank sweetie," Lydia's tone changed into a much cheery tone, causing worry for Maura.

"Maybe I should just take you to my place," Maura spoke softly to the blonde.

"Lydia? Who's here with you?" Frank walked up and over to the door. "Oh Maura! It's so nice to see you, she wasn't lying when she said she was at the doctor's then, she's bad at lying you know, that's something you have in common. Thanks for bringing my girl home, I was worried about her. How's Janie and everything?" he asked, his arm linking with Lydia's.

"Everything is fine Frank, I would like to thank you for not bothering Jane since you've been out of prison."

"That's the whole point of restraining orders, and I kind of can't break any rules. I can only leave to go to work, pretty sure they monitor every time I have to piss. I swear sometimes being out of jail is worse than being in there. So is everything okay with Lydia and our baby?"

Maura glanced at Lydia, "Here's your chance to tell him."

Lydia bit her bottom lip, "Actually Frank, when we went to the doctor's he gave me some results, much different than what the pregnancy test told me."

"Okay, and?" he asked.

"I'm not pregnant, the doctor said I was stressed which was why my test results on the pregnancy test were different than the real results," Lydia spoke, getting softer the more Frank frowned, he was not pleased with what she just told him.

"So you lied to me? You told me that you were positive that you were pregnant, which is why you wanted me here to help take care of you. So all of that was bullshit?" Frank raised his voice, causing Maura to jump slightly at how his tone of voice could change so quickly. "Maura, you should go now."

"Frank, maybe I should stay, make sure Lydia is alright?" Maura spoke quietly, almost afraid to do so.

"Lydia will be fine," he waved off Maura's concerns, tightening his grip around the blonde's arm. "This is a personal matter, no need for you to be here any longer."

Lydia looked at Maura and nodded, "I'll be alright Maura, you should go back to Jane and your family."

"Are you sure?" Maura asked concerned and Frank nodded for Lydia, trying to push her out the front door.

"Yeah Lydia will be okay, no need for you to worry," his tone was much scarier than it was a few moments ago.

"Maybe it would be better if Lydia came with me?"

"Don't push your luck here Maura, and no need to inform Jane on any of this," he tried to close the door and Maura was at a loss of what to do, stay and protect Lydia or just go home and not let this bother her. Maura was pretty sure she couldn't let this go, Frank was making her uncomfortable and she could only imagine how Lydia was feeling.

"You're unstable Frank, and Lydia is old enough to make her own decisions."

"Dammit Maura, just go home! This doesn't concern you," he slammed the door in her face, Maura glared at the door and stayed on the porch for a moment. She flinched hearing Frank yelling and then when she heard a slap, and then a shout from Lydia, Maura opened the front door, she knew she made a bad mistake, but he put his hands on Lydia and she was feared at what else he would do to her.

She seen Lydia on the floor holding her cheek, she kneeled to check if she was okay, there was already a bruise forming on her face, Maura glanced up at Frank who was filled with anger, not pleased that Maura was back.

"I thought I told you to leave? Can't you stay out of people's business? It doesn't concern you, it's between a man and his girl," he yanked Maura up by the arm, pressing her against the wall. "Now be a good girl and go home to your wife."

"Leave her alone Frank! It's me you're mad at not her," Lydia got up from the floor holding onto her cheek as she pushed Frank away from Maura standing in-between the two. "Maura, I should have just let you go home, I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize Lydia, you were worried, I should have not dropped you off at all."

"No Maura, it's my fault, I shouldn't have let him back into my life. I did a real stupid thing."

Frank crossed his arms, "You know I'm standing right here."

"Yes I realize this, I just want you to hear that I regret letting you back into my life," Lydia directed towards him. "I'll go get some stuff Maura, you get to the car safely, alright?" Lydia glared at Frank before going to her bedroom.

Frank glared at Maura. "If anyone did a stupid thing it was you, coming here, being concerned about our business, that's not a very wise decision taking Lydia away from me," he stepped closer to Maura, holding onto her arm. "What if I took you away from Jane, that wouldn't be a very wise thing for me to do, now would it?" he tightened her grip. "If you even think about telling Jane what I did to Lydia, you will regret it."

"I don't like being threatened," Maura stood up straighter. "No if you mind, letting go of me, I really rather sit in my car while I wait for her."

"She's not going anywhere, and I'll see to that Maura. I'm not scared of you, of Lydia and I'm sure as hell not afraid of Janie, especially not now, she's no help to anyone in her condition," he rested his free hand on Maura's cheek, causing Maura to flinch and shake his hand off. "So actually what is Jane able to do if I did something to you, probably not shit. She's not so tough anymore," he chuckled, his hand slowly wrapping around her neck. "Yeah, that's what I thought. You're not taking Lydia from me."

Maura gulped, reaching her hand up to try and release Frank's hand from her neck, but he just tightened his grip, making it more difficult to do anything, she knew if she struggled she would just get light headed faster. Her hand slowly grabbed her keys, Frank heard the jingle and grabbed them from her hand. "Really Maura, here I thought you were the smart one, let me guess Jane put this on your key ring just in case you got into a bad situation like this one," he flicked open the swiss army knife, admiring the blade.

"You know I got stabbed by a prison guard with one of these, and I wasn't even doing anything, just minding my business, unlike you," he ran the blade against Maura's cheek. "You know I never knew how someone could just slice someone up, how that Hoyt guy hurt my Janie on more than one occassion. But I kind of see the excitement, the power it can give someone," he chuckled, pressing the blade into Maura's cheek, causing her to hiss out as he broke her skin, panic set in and she tried to keep control of her breathing as she felt herself running out of oxygen. Her brain getting a little fuzzy, she felt a little faint and the last thing she seen was Lydia yanking Frank off of her as she slipped into darkness.


Maura woke up and her head was killing her, the room she was in was bright, she wasn't even sure where she was at. She had to blink a couple of times to hear a beeping sound, she focused her eyes and she seen Jane sitting next to her, holding her hand.

"Thank God you're awake. What were you thinking Maura? You may have saved Lydia's life, but you could have lost yours." Maura tried to sit up to speak, Jane handed her some water, "Don't talk just yet, drink," she directed and Maura nodded, drinking some of the water.

"What happened Jane? Lydia's okay? I slipped into darkness before and then everything else isn't clear," she lifted her hand up to rest on her cheek. "Frank was going to kill me I think, the look in his eyes, Jane I was so scared, he gave me Hoyt vibes as he pressed the blade into my skin. I didn't know what was going to happen."

A tear ran down Jane's cheek, "Lydia told me everything, how you wouldn't stop trying to protect her from Frank. She ended up protecting you in the end Maura, she saved your life."

"And, wh-what happened to Frank?"

"He got what he deserved Maura, he's never going to bother anyone ever again."

"Jane is he..."

Jane nodded, "Yeah, he is," she squeezed Maura's hand. "This could have gone so much differently Maura, I'm so glad he didn't get to finish the job. You're safe now, we're all safe."


Yeah, so that happened. Angela and Jane had a nice mother daughter moment and then things started to go downhill. I was going to leave this as a cliffhanger with Maura just slipping into darkness, but I didn't want to be that cruel. The idea came to me as I was writing Maura and Lydia's conversation at the Cafe.