A/N: I'm SO STUCK on Family by Love, and I hate it! I hate being stuck on any story, but especially that one. In the meantime, I'm just gonna keep letting myself write whatever comes easily. I'm sorry if people are annoyed with all the stories in progress (I'm annoyed at my brain too so at least we have that in common). I'm making a major transition at work at the end of the month, so I think that might have something to do with it. I hope I can get back a little semblance of control after that. {shrug}
Also, I have no idea why I thought I could finish this story in three chapters. That was a pipe dream, lol.
Cam's car, Northern Virginia: 11:20pm EDT
"Saroyan," Cam answered the phone. Even though Jane had pulled her keys out on instinct as they left the lab, her car was still at the FBI, so they were riding in Cam's car.
"We got them," Booth said quickly, clearly out of breath. "They're safe. We got 'em."
"Oh, thank god," Cam breathed out.
Jane had too many emotions running through her body to respond. She didn't even notice the tears running down her cheeks.
"Unca' Aubrey!" four-year-old Theo's voice could be heard over the phone.
"I got ya, buddy," Aubrey said, and it sounded like he had picked up the little boy.
"Isla, too?" Jane squeaked out, still not having heard her daughter's voice.
"Yeah," Booth said. "She's right here, in my arms. Isla, mommy's on the phone. Can you say hi to mommy?" Booth's voice changed to a comforting tone when he spoke to the little girl.
"Mama?" Isla whispered through her tears.
"I'm coming, baby," Jane replied desperately. "I'm almost there. Stay with Uncle Booth and Uncle Aubrey till I get there, okay?"
"You're okay," Booth could be heard saying to Isla. "I've got you. Mommy's on her way. You're okay." Then, speaking to Jane again, he added, "Physically, they both seem fine. They're scared, though. Don't worry, they won't leave our arms until you get here."
"Thank you, Booth," Jane replied thickly. "Thank you."
"Theo, you want to say hi to mommy?" Booth asked the little boy. Cam and Jane could hear Aubrey and Theo in the background, but they couldn't make out what they were saying.
"Hi, mommy!" Theo called out. He sounded more confused than scared, and Jane was grateful for that.
"I'm on my way. Stay with Uncle Booth and Uncle Aubrey, okay?" she said, repeating what she had told Isla.
"Yeah," he replied before adding, "Isla's cryin'."
Jane squeezed her eyes shut. She knew Cam was driving as fast as possible without putting them in danger, but they couldn't get there fast enough for Jane's liking. "I know, baby. I'm almost there," Jane said quietly.
"La, mama's comin'," they heard Theo try to comfort his sister. Jane's heart instantly melted.
"I'm coming, sweetie," Jane said quietly, repeating her son's words.
Angela's car, Northern Virginia: 11:25pm EDT
"It's Aubrey," Angela said when her phone started ringing. "Aubrey?" Angela answered the phone with a question.
"They're safe," Aubrey replied. "And Booth's got Jane on the phone. But we got both kids. They're safe."
"Thank you, Jesus," Angela said under her breath.
Maura let out a shaky breath from the backseat but didn't say anything. She listened as Angela and Dr. Brennan talked to the man named Aubrey, and she could hear people talking in the background. The terror that had been building inside of her for the past ten hours lessened slightly, but not enough. She knew she wouldn't feel better until she saw those kids in Jane's arms, and that didn't even take into account whatever came next. She hadn't spoken to Jane in over five years, and even if she wanted to, she couldn't just disappear again. She knew she was going to be questioned extensively by the FBI, but she didn't care. All she cared about was that Jane's kids were safe.
Even if she could disappear again, though, she didn't want to. From the moment Jane collapsed into her arms at the lab, Maura knew she couldn't walk away again, even if she did have to watch Jane happy and in love with Casey.
Abandoned warehouse, Northern Virginia: 11:34pm EDT
Jane didn't even wait for Cam to put the car into park before she had unbuckled her seatbelt and bolted from the car.
"Isla! Theo! Isla! Theo!" Jane screamed as she weaved her way through the people in search of her children.
"Jane! Over here," Booth's voice cut through the noise.
Within seconds, Jane had found them and pulled both of her kids into her arms. They both clung to her with every ounce of strength they had.
"I love you guys so much," Jane whispered through her tears as she held them as tightly as possible to her body and gave them kisses over and over again. "I love you both."
"We're okay, mama," Theo whispered, pulling his face back slightly to look at his mom without removing his arms from around her neck. "But mama, don't be mad, okay? There wasn't a potty, and I hadda pee weawy weawy bad."
"Oh, baby, I'm not mad," Jane said, laughing slightly at the absurdity of the moment. Of course, her overly conscientious kid would be worried about breaking a rule while being held hostage.
"I peed in the corner, but La peed her pants," Theo added. "Don't be mad at La, though, either; 'kay?"
"I'm not mad at either of you," Jane said. "Not at all. I'm so proud of you guys for being so brave."
"I didn't like it in there," Theo said sadly. "But I didn' want La to be scared, so I pretended it was fun," he whispered into Jane's ear, so that his sister wouldn't hear him.
"You're a good brother," Jane said, kissing his head.
Isla still hadn't lifted her face from where it was hidden against Jane's shoulder. "Isla, sweetie, can you look at me?" Jane whispered to her daughter.
Isla lifted her head reluctantly, and Jane's heart broke at the look on her daughter's face. "Oh, baby, you're okay," Jane said quietly before giving her another kiss.
Isla nodded, but her tears didn't stop. "I knew you'd come," she choked out.
"Yeah, I told her you'd find us," Theo added smartly.
Jane nodded, but she wasn't sure what to say. She feared the day she might not get there in time, but she would always look for them. Always.
"I love you both so so much," Jane said instead.
At that moment, Angela's car pulled up. Angela and Brennan ran right up to where Jane, Booth, and Aubrey were standing with the kids, but Maura stayed behind, near the car. Jane noticed her standing there nervously.
"Hey, can you guys stay here for a second with Aunt Angela and Aunt Tempe?" Jane said to the kids. Both of them nodded as Theo instantly turned to let Brennan pull him into her arms while Angela lifted Isla from Jane's arms and started talking to the little girl. "I'll be right back," Jane said to the group. Angela nodded to acknowledge her before returning her attention to Isla, trying to make the girl laugh.
Jane made her way over to where Maura was standing. Maura lifted her gaze to watch Jane approach, and Jane could see how nervous her old friend looked.
"Are they okay?" Maura said shakily when Jane got to her.
Jane glanced back over her shoulder to where her kids were with her friends. Looking back at Maura, she nodded. "Yeah, I mean, they're a bit freaked out, but physically, they seem okay," she said, dropping her gaze to the ground. "The paramedics are going to check them out."
Maura nodded, unsure of what else to say. They stood together awkwardly for a few minutes; both of them avoiding eye contact but also not ready to end the conversation.
"Did you pay the ransom?" Jane whispered eventually. She had been thinking about it since they got the coordinates, and it was the only thing that made sense.
Maura held Jane's gaze for a few moments before she nodded. "Did you catch who took them?" she asked.
"No," Jane said, shaking her head. "How did you even know? I mean, I know the ab-ab-abduction was all over the news, but they never said the ransom amount."
"I received a ransom call," Maura said, surprised that Jane didn't know that.
"What?" Jane said quickly. "Why? How? I don't understand…"
"I don't know," Maura replied, dumbfounded, shaking her head.
"I-I-I don't know what to say," Jane said, defeat evident in her voice. "But thank you. I'll never be able to repay you…literally or figuratively."
Maura shook her head. "No, I don't want anything from you," she said quickly. "All I care about is that they are okay. I don't want you to try to repay any of the money, and I definitely do not want you to feel like you owe me anything…not your time, attention, forgiveness, or anything. If you never want to see me again after this is over, I'll understand. I didn't pay the ransom for any other reason than to get your kids back safely."
"I owe you everything," Jane said quietly. "But even if I didn't, I would still want…I was never the one who wanted to never see each other again."
Maura nodded. "I know," she said softly. Maura knew she was the one who had made that decision for them. "And I know that right now isn't the time for this conversation, but maybe we can talk when all of this is over."
"I'd like that," Jane said. Turning around to glance at her kids again, she said, "I need to get back to them, but um, can you tell my team what you told me about the ransom call?"
"Of course," Maura replied. "I'll do anything I can to help."
"Thank you," Jane replied. "For everything. Really, thank you."
Jane stepped forward and pulled Maura into a hug.
"You should get back," Maura whispered as they separated. She was barely holding herself together.
Jane nodded and led Maura back over to where her team was still standing with her kids. Angela and Aubrey had both Isla and Theo laughing hysterically.
"Mommy!" Isla said when she spotted Jane walking back over to them. She held out her arms in a silent request for Jane to take her back from Angela.
"Hi, baby," Jane said, kissing Isla's cheek as the little girl settled on her hip. "How are you doing?"
"Can we go home?" Isla asked as she rested her head on Jane's shoulder.
"As soon as the paramedics check you and Theo out, okay?" Jane said.
"Who?" Theo asked.
"The ambulance people," Jane said stupidly; she didn't have enough brain power left to better define a paramedic.
"'Kay," Isla said tiredly.
"Booth," Jane said to get her boss's attention. "This is Dr. Maura Isles. She, uh, well, she…" Jane paused. She didn't really want to have this conversation in front of the kids.
"It's okay, Jane," Maura said, stepping forward. "I'll tell them what I told you. You should take the kids to see the EMTs."
"Thank you," Jane said gratefully, hoping that Maura understood why she wouldn't…or couldn't say more right now.
"I'll bring Mr. Theo," Angela said, taking Theo from Aubrey, who was currently holding the little boy. She followed Jane and Isla over to where the ambulance was waiting.
Maura watched as Jane and Angela walked the kids over to the ambulance. When they were out of earshot, Maura turned back to the two men. "As Jane mentioned, my name is Dr. Maura Isles," she said formally. "Just before 7pm central European time…sorry, 1pm eastern daylight time…I received a call from an unknown number. At first, I thought it was a robocall because the voice did not sound human, but when I heard the name Rizzoli, I stopped and listened. It was a ransom call, asking for $15 million to be transferred to a Grand Cayman account or Isla and Theo would die." Maura's voice broke on the last word.
"Jane and I used to be very close. She was…is…my best friend, but we haven't spoken in over five years. It's my fault," Maura said. She paused and took a deep breath, using her hand to wipe away the tears that had escaped down her cheeks. "I-I didn't even know her kids' names, but…well, when I heard the names, I had a feeling…" Maura took another deep breath. "Anyway, I googled the names. When I read about the original Gravedigger and the fact that the victims whose families paid the ransom lived, I called my lawyer. It took some time to process a transfer that large on such short notice, but it went through an hour or so ago. Once the transfer was in progress, I called my family's private jet and flew here as quickly as possible."
"Why did you get a ransom call?" Aubrey asked suspiciously. Regardless of what his partner said, he wasn't convinced this woman wasn't at least partially behind this.
Maura shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted.
"We're going to need to get some information from you," Booth said, throwing Aubrey a threatening look.
"Anything," Maura said quickly. "I answered the call, so I don't have a recording of the message, but your team can take my phone and try to pull whatever information you can. I'll put you in touch with my lawyer and the bank, and I'll instruct them to give you any and all information you ask for."
Aubrey sighed. He was still suspicious of someone who would readily hand over $15 million to save the kids of a friend they hadn't spoken to in over five years, but he also couldn't help but think that this woman seemed genuine. "Why didn't you call Jane?" he asked.
"If I had her number, I would have called her first, but…but I didn't have any direct way to contact her. I thought about trying to get ahold of her through the FBI, but I doubted they would put me through to her even under normal circumstances. With the kidnapping, I was sure that calling the FBI in search of Jane would only distract from finding the kids and I still wouldn't get through," Maura explained. "I decided to just come here. I spent most of the flight on the phone with my lawyer and the bank, anyway, trying to make sure everything was approved as smoothly and as quickly as possible."
"Alright," Booth said resignedly. "We'll pick this up tomorrow morning."
They turned to watch Jane and Angela walk back over with the kids.
"They're fine," Jane said to the group standing there. Isla was already falling asleep on her shoulder. "They just said to watch to make sure they get enough fluids over the next 24-48 hours."
"Thank goodness," Booth said, a sentiment echoed by the rest of the group. "Why don't you get the kids home."
"I'll drive you guys home," Angela said. "At least, I have one car seat."
"Dr. Isles, where do you need to go tonight? Is your car at the lab?" Cam asked.
"Oh," Maura said in surprise. She hadn't thought for even a second about where she was going to go tonight. "No, I took a cab from the airport. I-I suppose I'll need to get a hotel room. Would it be possible for someone to drop me off at the closest hotel?"
"No," Jane said quietly, causing everyone to turn to look at her. "Come home with us. You can stay in the guest room."
"Sleepover!" Theo said excitedly, causing a few of them to laugh.
"It's so far past your bedtime!" Jane said teasingly to her son. "Bath and bed as soon as we get home for you two."
"I'm hungry," Theo whined, and Jane instantly felt guilty.
"Sorry, yes, of course, we'll get you guys something to eat," Jane said softly. Looking back at Maura, she added, "Come stay with us, Maur."
Maura nodded. "Thank you," she said with a tight smile. She wasn't sure if staying with Jane was the best idea, but at the moment, she didn't really care. All she wanted was to be close to Jane and her kids – and to get some sleep. At this point, she had been up for over 24 hours.
"Brennan, you good to go with Cam or Booth?" Angela asked her friend.
"Yes, of course," Brennan replied. "Are you picking the kids up tonight?"
"I think it's better if I don't wake them," Angela said. "Are you okay if they stay for the night?"
"Of course," Brennan answered. "My dad can watch all four kids again tomorrow…honestly, I'm planning to have him stay with Christine and Hank until we find who did this. I know he's fine having Michael and Katie there, too."
"Thanks," Angela said. "We'll check in tomorrow. Let's get these two munchkins home, though," she added, rubbing Theo's back.
Jane said goodnight to everyone before following Angela to her car. Maura followed behind both of them.
"Uh, you can sit in front," Jane said to Maura. "I want to sit with them."
"Of course," Maura said, nodding.
"Thanks," Jane replied.
All five of them rode in silence. Isla fell asleep almost instantly in the car seat, but she didn't release her death grip on Jane's hand the entire time. Theo was leaning against Jane, half-awake, and Jane had her arm around his little body.
Jane's home, Alexandria, VA: 12:45am EDT
When they arrived at Jane's, Maura stepped out of the car. Jane, who had climbed out the driver's side with Theo walked around the car carrying the little boy. "Do you want me to carry one of them?" she asked nervously, knowing that even if Jane could sometimes carry both kids, she was likely too exhausted right now to do so safely.
"Oh, um, Theo, can Aunt Maura hold you so that I can get Isla out of the car?" Jane asked. Maura's heart swelled with love when she heard Jane refer to her as Aunt Maura.
Theo nodded, and Jane handed the little boy to Maura. He instantly melted against her body, and Maura couldn't stop herself from resting her cheek against his soft head.
"Let's get you guys into the bath," Jane said. "We'll make it quick. Then, you can have a snack before bed."
"I can put something together while you bathe them," Maura said quietly.
"Are you sure? You must be exhausted," Jane said.
"I don't mind," Maura replied.
"Okay, thank you," Jane said gratefully. "Um, just no peanut butter. Isla's allergic to nuts."
"Okay, I'm glad you let me know," Maura said. She followed Jane down the hall to the bathroom, still carrying Theo. "Do you guys need anything else?"
"No, thank you, Maur," Jane said warmly as Maura set Theo back on his feet.
Maura kissed the top of Theo's head before leaving the bathroom. She turned the lights on in the kitchen and opened the fridge to figure out something simple but healthy to make for the kids. She noticed that there didn't seem to be any trace of Casey in the house, and she felt guilty for being happy about that. She knew better than to ask Jane about him anytime soon though. She did think it was odd that he didn't show up when his kids were missing, though.
When she saw water bottles in the fridge, she grabbed two and carried them to the bathroom. She knocked lightly before sticking her head in. The tub was still filling with water, but Theo was already sitting in it and Jane was helping Isla get in.
"Everything okay?" Jane asked, looking up at Maura. "You can come in," she added, sensing that Maura wasn't sure if it was okay to enter.
"Yes, I just brought them water," Maura said, holding out the water bottles. "I just remembered what the EMTs said about dehydration."
"Oh, thank you so much," Jane said, taking the waters from Maura. They shared a soft smile before Maura returned to the kitchen.
Maura had just finished plating cut up lunch meat, cheese, and crackers with carrots and ranch when the kids came running back down the hall, clean and in their pajamas.
Maura looked up to see Jane enter the kitchen. Her friend looked absolutely exhausted, and all Maura wanted to do was wrap Jane up in her arms and comfort her friend while she slept. But she didn't know what was okay between them anymore, so instead, she said, "I made you a plate, too. I know you probably didn't eat much today."
"Thank you," Jane replied, offering her a tired smile. "Do you want to sit with us, or do you want me to show you to the guest room now?"
"I'll sit with you guys," Maura replied, pulling out one of the chairs at the table. They four of them sat in silence while the kids ate quickly, and Jane picked at her food. Maura couldn't help herself, and she reached out to give Jane's hand a comforting squeeze. Jane flashed her a grateful smile.
"Can we sleep with you tonight?" Isla asked as she finished eating.
"Yes," Jane replied. "While you guys brush your teeth, I'm going to show Aunt Maura where everything is." Turning to Maura she added, "I take it you don't have anything with you? I have clothes you can borrow and extra toiletries."
"Thank you," Maura replied. "No, I didn't bring anything."
Guest room, Jane's home, Alexandria, VA: 9:13am EDT
Maura was awoken by a soft tapping on her shoulder. When she rolled over to find her face inches away from Theo's, she jumped slightly before smiling at the little boy.
"Hi, sweetie," Maura said, bringing her hand up to push his curls off his face.
"Hi, Aunt Mow-wa," he said brightly. "Cuddle me?"
"Of course," Maura replied, and the little boy wasted no time crawling under the covers and snuggling up to her side. He rested his head on her shoulder and threw his little arm across her body. Maura held him close with the arm she had around his body while she rubbed comforting patterns on his arm with her other hand.
"I wuv you," Theo whispered.
Maura's blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. "I love you, too, sweetie," she replied. "So much."
"You mama's best fwiend," he added.
"She's my best friend, too," Maura said honestly, still fighting her tears.
"Me and La are named after you," he told her. "Cus you're her fav-o-wit person besides us."
Maura didn't know what to say, so she just squeezed him tighter.
"THEO!" Jane's terrified voice screamed from down the hall.
"Jane!" Maura called back. "He's in here. Theo's in here." She scrambled out of the bed, pulling Theo with her as she stood up and hurried into the hall with the little boy on her hip. When she found Jane in the hall, she said at a normal volume, "I'm sorry. I thought you knew he came to the guest room."
Jane visibly relaxed when her eyes landed on Theo. She took him from Maura's arms and held him tight. "I'm sorry," Jane said to Maura. "I didn't realize…"
"No, it's okay," Maura said quickly. "I'm sorry. If I'd known you didn't know, I would have sent him back to at least tell you."
Jane shook her head. "It's okay," she said more calmly. "Actually, had my brain been working, I would have thought of that first. When ma stays, he always finds her in the morning. I just wasn't thinking."
"I understand," Maura said.
"Sowwy, mommy," Theo said.
"It's okay, baby," Jane said. "Go get your sister and use the bathroom. I'll make breakfast."
When Theo disappeared back into Jane's bedroom, Maura asked, "Are you okay?"
"No," Jane said with a humorless laugh. "But I'm not upset that he went to see you if that's what you mean."
Maura nodded. She knew what Jane meant, and she didn't really know what else to say. Of course, Jane wasn't okay after everything that happened yesterday. It had been a stupid question, and Maura honestly wasn't sure if she had been asking if Jane was okay overall or if she was mad that Theo was with Maura.
Maura awkwardly crossed her arms in front of her chest while Jane ran her hands over her face. Neither woman really knew what to say to each other. Finally, Jane went with the question she knew the answer to, "Do you want coffee?"
Maura smiled. "Yes, please," she replied with a laugh. She had no idea what was going to happen next, but she could enjoy coffee with her best friend at least one more time for now.