A/N: Someone mentioned the timelines of the two series, so I wanted to give some background information. Bones was on the air from 2005-2017, and Rizzoli and Isles was on from 2010-2016. R&I diverges from canon after season 4. In real time, this would be March 2014. However, I also offset the series by one year, so Jane's pregnancy takes place in 2015. Bones diverges from canon after season 10 in two ways: (1) I aged up Hodgins and Angela's second child, and (2) Jane joined the team mid-2016. Other things from the last seasons remain (e.g., Hodgins is paralyzed, etc.). This story takes place in July 2020 (minus the pandemic and everything else in real life, lol).
The biggest things this affects are the ages of the kids, so I'll just list them here:
Kids from Bones:
Parker (Booth's son) – Born 2001 – Age 19
Michael Vincent (Hodgins and Angela's son) – Born May/June 2011 – Age 9
Christine (Booth & Brennan's daughter) – Born March/April 2012 – Age 8
Hank (Booth & Brennan's son) – Born summer 2015 – Age 5
Katherine "Katie" Temperance (Hodgins & Angela's daughter) – Born Feb/March 2016 (in canon, Angela was pregnant at the end of the series (spring 2017) and the name and sex of the baby was unknown; Katherine Temperance was the girl's name they had picked before their son was born so I used that; Angela would have been due in fall 2017 in the series) – Age 4
Kids from Rizzoli & Isles:
TJ (Tommy and Lydia's son) – Born August 2013 (August 2012 in the series) – Age 6 (almost 7)
Kids new to this story (all from R&I characters):
Theo & Isla (Jane & Casey's twins) – Born December 2015 (had Jane not lost her pregnancy, she would have likely given birth around Nov/Dec 2014) – Age 4
Leo (Frankie & Nina's son) – Born October 2018
Nina is pregnant and due anytime now (July 2020) with a boy to be named Nathaniel "Nate"
Kitchen, Jane's home, Alexandria, VA: 9:27am EDT
Jane handed Maura a plate of pancakes. Theo and Isla were already sitting at the table, halfway through their own breakfasts. Jane's phone buzzed, and she answered with the traditional, "Rizzoli," making Maura's heart clench in her chest as memories flooded her.
"Can you and Dr. Isles come into the lab? Kids, too?" Booth asked. "I want Angela to get whatever information she needs from Dr. Isles, and Aubrey and I want to talk through some potential suspects with you. I'd also like to see if the kids can tell me anything new."
"Uh, yeah…" Jane said hesitantly.
Booth seemed to understand her hesitation. "I called Michelle," he said. "She's going to come hang out with Theo and Isla in Bones' office."
Jane sighed in relief. This was definitely the best option. The kids would be close by, and she'd be able to check on them, but she would also be able to step away to help with the investigation knowing they were safe. Michelle was Cam's adoptive daughter and was a relatively new agent with the FBI. She may be a rookie, but she was good. Plus, the kids loved her, so they would be happy and safe. "Thank you," Jane replied. "Yeah, we'll be in soon, then. We're just eating breakfast; then, I'm going to pack up some books and stuff for them to play with today. Let's say around 11am, okay?"
"Sounds good," Booth said. "I'll cya at the lab."
"Cya," Jane replied.
Jane turned to watch Maura, Theo, and Isla at the table. Theo was chatting away happily. Jane couldn't hear what he was saying, but she would bet just about anything she owned that Theo was talking about dinosaurs.
Jane walked into the dining area, and Theo instantly turned to look at Jane. His face was alight with happiness. "Mama! Aunt Mow-wa knows more dinosaurs than me!" he said excitedly.
Jane saw Maura open her mouth to correct Theo's grammar, but Isla's sarcastic "yay!" distracted all three of them, causing everyone to laugh.
"La doesn't like dinosaurs," Theo said to Maura.
"La does like dinosaurs," Jane said with a laugh, "just not as much as you do."
"Isla, what are some of your favorite things?" Maura asked kindly.
"Isla likes animals," Theo interjected, earning him a classic Rizzoli glare from his sister. Maura had to bite back a smile at the interaction.
"Theo, let Isla answer for herself," Jane said automatically.
"Mommy won't let us get a puppy," Isla added, and Jane rolled her eyes.
"Not giving up on that one, are you?" Jane teased, poking her daughter playfully in the side.
"Nope!" Isla said proudly.
Maura smiled as she watched Jane interact with her kids.
DING DONG!
All four heads whipped to the front door at the sound of the doorbell.
"Stay here," Jane said to Isla and Theo. She quickly glanced at Maura in a silent plea to stay with the kids before she made her way to the door.
Jane sighed when she looked through the peep hole and saw who was standing on their porch. She really didn't want to answer it, but she felt like she had to.
"Hi, Casey," Jane said with a tightlipped smile when she opened the door.
"Where are they?" Casey asked quickly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
"Come in," Jane said sarcastically under her breath. Then, at a normal volume, she added, "They're in the kitchen eating breakfast."
Casey rushed past Jane and into the kitchen.
"Daddy!" Theo and Isla squealed when they saw him. They both jumped out of there chairs and ran into his arms just as Jane stepped into the kitchen behind him.
Maura watched from her seat at the table as the kids greeted their father. She felt the irrational jealousy of so many years ago return, squeezing her heart in her chest. Her only saving grace was that Jane didn't seem to have any lingering affection for the father of her children.
It had taken Casey a moment to notice the woman sitting at the kitchen table, but when he saw Maura, his face hardened. He stood with Theo in his arms and Isla wrapped around his leg and turned to Jane and asked through gritted teeth, "What is she doing here?"
"Not now, Casey," Jane said sharply, hoping the kids wouldn't notice the tension in the room.
"I have a right to know who my kids are around," he replied meanly. "How do I know if they're safe here if I don't know who…"
"Stop!" Jane snapped. She pulled Theo from Casey's arms and set him on his feet. Trying to make her voice sound as normal as possible, she spoke to the kids, "Why don't you guys show Aunt Maura your room? And maybe she'll help you get dressed."
"Yeah!" Theo said happily as Isla turned and grabbed Maura's hand, dragging her down the hall.
"I don't want…" Casey started, but he stopped when Jane grabbed his arm roughly and pulled him back to the front door. She shoved him out the door and stepped onto the porch with him, shutting the door behind them. She didn't want the kids to hear them fighting.
"Stop!" Jane said angrily.
"I have a right…" Casey cut in again.
"No, actually, you don't!" Jane said with a humorless laugh, jabbing her finger into his chest to emphasize her point. "You gave up your right to have an opinion four and a half years ago when you walked out on them. You were the one who didn't want to co-parent. You were the one who didn't want to bother going to court to establish paternity. Legally, you do not have any rights. I let you see them because I can't change the fact that you are their father, and they deserve to have a relationship with you, regardless of how I feel about you. But you will not walk in here and make them feel unsafe in their own home.
"That also means that I get to decide who can be in their lives," Jane said, now pointing to herself. "But for your information, last night was the first time Maura met them. I haven't spoken to her since she left five years ago. But when she heard what happened, she paid the ransom and flew here. So yeah, she's staying here, and you're going to deal with it. She most likely saved their lives. Be nice!"
Casey crossed his arms in front of his chest, but he didn't say anything.
Jane tried to shove her anger at Casey back down. "We need to get to the lab," she said as calmly as possible. "We still don't know who did this." She took a deep breath before continuing, "Did Booth or Aubrey talk to you yet?"
"No, why would I have talked to them?" Casey asked coldly. "I don't know anything."
"Okay, whatever, but it's standard for them to talk to both parents," Jane said. "You know that."
"Fine, whatever," Casey said. "Just have them call me. Now, can I see my kids?"
"As long as you don't scare them more than they already are," Jane said. "And we have to go soon. I can call you later when we're done though."
"I only got a one-day leave," Casey said. "I'm due back on base in a few hours, and I fly out in a few days, back to the Balkans."
Jane rolled her eyes. Of course, Casey still wouldn't let his kids affect his career, even after they were kidnapped and held for ransom. Jane started to open the door to go back in the house when Casey added, "But if you can't keep them safe, we may need to reassess our co-parenting plan."
Jane spun around and shoved Casey back against the side of the house. "You know that I would die for them," she hissed. "Don't you dare imply that they aren't safe with me."
She didn't give Casey a chance to respond as she flung the door open and plastered on her happy face for the kids.
"Mommy! Look!" Theo yelled as he sprinted back down the hall towards them. "Aunt Mow-wa let me pick my t-rex shirt!"
Jane laughed. He said it as though Jane didn't let him wear the shirt every day it was clean (and even some days it wasn't quite clean).
Before Jane could respond, Isla came skipping down the hall wearing her leopard print tulle skirt and matching headband with a white t-shirt. She looked adorable (and absolutely like Maura dressed her…which also happened to be Isla's preferred style too).
Casey kneeled to catch Theo as he hurtled down the hall. "I have to go, champ, but I'll see you guys soon," he said, hugging Theo. Isla joined the hug, and Casey added, "Bye, princess."
When Casey stood back up, Jane said slightly coldly, "We need to get going, but I'll call you later."
"'Kay," Casey said, even more coldly. "Bye, guys," he added to the kids before walking back out the front door. Jane watched him leave before turning back to find Maura standing awkwardly in the hall with her arms crossed protectively in front of her chest.
Jane gave Maura what she hoped was a reassuring smile before turning to the kids. "Since you guys are ready, do you want to watch a TV show while Aunt Maura and I get ready?"
"Yes!" they both said excitedly.
"Little Foot!" Theo said quickly.
"Noooo!" Isla whined.
Jane rolled her eyes. "Magic School Bus," she said in a tone that told them not to argue. Besides, this was one of the few shows they both liked equally. Jane locked the front door before turning on the TV.
Maura watched from her position in the doorway. She smiled at Jane when Jane walked towards her.
"I have a few dresses for court that are probably the closest to your style," Jane said. "Although, they might be a little long." Jane smirked at Maura, who gave her a playful slap as she followed Jane to the bedroom. "Thanks for helping the kids get dressed."
"It was no problem," Maura replied. "They're great. I really hope that I can spend more time with them," she added quietly.
"I'd like that," Jane replied. Then, covering the vulnerable moment with sarcasm, she teased, "You might be singing a different tune at nap time, though."
Maura laughed. "I doubt it," she said with a soft smile.
Jeffersonian Institute Medico-legal Lab, Washington, DC: 11:05am EDT
When they arrived at the lab, Jane officially introduced Maura to all the members of the team, including her boss agent Seeley Booth, her partner agent James Aubrey, and the Jeffersonian forensic team. The forensic team was led by Dr. Camille Saroyan, the federal coroner; and included Dr. Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist; Dr. Jack Hodgins, who specialized in entomology, botany, and minerology – or 'bug boy' as Booth called him; and Angela Montenegro, a forensic facial reconstruction specialist and computer analyst. Maura was familiar with Dr. Saroyan's work and Dr. Brennan's work, but she had never worked with them personally.
"Michy!" Isla squealed suddenly, spotting Cam's daughter enter the lab.
"Izzy!" Michelle called back, a huge smile on her face. "Teddy!"
"She's the only one allowed to call him Teddy," Jane whispered to Maura, who laughed softly.
"Thank you for this, Michelle," Jane said when Michelle joined them with Isla on her hip and Theo holding her free hand. "I know this probably isn't how you wanted to spend your Saturday."
"I love spending time with my favorite twins," Michelle said, smiling at both kids.
"Well, thank you. You really have no idea how much I appreciate it," Jane said. Turning to Maura, Jane added, "Maur, this is Cam's daughter Michelle Welton. Michelle, this is my best friend from Boston, Dr. Maura Isles."
"She's a dead people doctor, too," Theo said excitedly, causing everyone to laugh.
"Hey, Michelle," Booth said, giving her a hug. "Dr. Isles, can we talk to you in Angela's office while Jane gets the kids settled with Michelle?"
"Of course," Maura replied politely. She and Jane shared a look, just like they had so many times over the years, and Jane gave her a reassuring smile before following Michelle and the kids into Dr. Brennan's office. Maura followed nervously behind Angela, Aubrey, and Booth, while Cam and Hodgins went back to their own work.
Maura was sitting on the couch in Angela's office; agents Booth and Aubrey were sitting across from her while Angela worked on extracting information from Maura's phone on the other side of the room. Maura fidgeted nervously, running her hands over her skirt and twisting her ring on her finger. She knew these people were Jane's friends, but Maura didn't know them; Maura was already awkward and nervous around new people.
"How long have you known Jane?" James Aubrey asked.
"We first met while Jane was undercover with the drug control unit in August 2006, but I did not know that she was a detective at that time. We met officially in February 2007 when she was promoted to homicide. At first, we were merely colleagues. However, after she returned from medical leave after Hoyt held her hostage. I'm rather awkward around people," Maura said embarrassedly, knowing that honesty was important in this situation, "so it took some time for our friendship to progress. Eventually, I became more comfortable around Jane, and we started spending time together outside of work.
"While we've known each other for nearly 14 years and have been friends for about 12, we haven't spoken to each other in over five years. Therefore, I don't know whether it's more accurate to say we've been friends for 12 years or 7 years," Maura admitted, her gaze dropping to her hands in her lap. "I still considered her a friend…my best friend…for that entire time period," she added quietly.
"And why haven't you spoken for the past five years?" Aubrey asked. He was still suspicious of this woman and her motivations. He wanted to protect his partner and her family.
Maura opened and closed her mouth a few times. While she knew exactly why she had left, she had never actually said the words out loud. "I-I-I moved out of the country," she said softly.
"But surely, you could have kept in contact with her. If she really was your best friend, I would expect that you would have stayed in contact at least for a little while after you moved, even if you eventually lost touch. However, it seems like you cut off all contact immediately," Aubrey said.
Maura blinked back the tears that threatened to fall as she stared past the agents. "I, um, I left when she agreed to marry Casey," she said thickly. Maura wiped furiously at her eyes in an attempt to hide her tears. "She doesn't know…I never told her…I never said anything to her…but I was…I am…in love with her. It hurt too much to watch her…" Maura paused to take a deep breath. She wiped again at her cheeks; her tears were falling fast and thick at this point.
"I know it wasn't fair," Maura choked out. "I know that I should have talked to her. I shouldn't have left without being honest with her, but I couldn't ruin her happiness. I couldn't risk destroying a family. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know that just because I have or had feelings for Jane doesn't mean that she has or ever has had feelings for me. If she loves Casey, I know they would have been a family regardless of how I felt, but I also knew that she'd try to make me feel better. I couldn't stand the thought of that. I couldn't handle the idea of rejection, pathetic as that may be, so I ran.
"I don't know what happened between her and Casey. However, regardless of her relationship with him, I regret leaving. It was the wrong choice. Even if I did have to watch the woman I love build a family and love another person, I should have stayed.
"I have no idea why I got the ransom call, but once I knew that Jane's children were in fact kidnapped, there was no way I wasn't going to pay the ransom. Even if it only had a slim chance of working, I would have paid anything, but I am beyond grateful that it did work. I didn't pay it to get Jane's forgiveness though. She can still hate me for leaving the way I did, and I will never regret paying the ransom.
"I do hope that once this is over, she will give me a chance to explain, but I don't want her to give me that chance just because I paid the ransom."
Booth looked over at Aubrey. He knew Aubrey was just trying to protect Jane, but this woman seemed genuine. Besides, he trusted Jane, and Jane trusted Maura Isles.
Aubrey nodded at Booth before turning back to Maura, who was still staring at her hands in her lap. "Alright, well, we're gonna run a check, but unless something comes up, you're not considered a suspect at this time," Aubrey said. At some point during their conversation, Angela had left the room without Maura noticing.
Maura nodded. "Thank you," she said quietly. She wasn't surprised that they suspected her or were questioning her. She knew enough about the investigative process to know that her story probably appeared suspicious to people who didn't know her or her relationship with Jane.
"And for what it's worth, I'm sorry," Booth added. "Bones and I went through something similar."
"Yeah, he ran off to Afghanistan," Aubrey added.
"I accepted an invitation to train Afghan soldiers," Booth clarified. "And I wasn't running away. I just…"
"You ran," Aubrey cut in. "Angela told me the story. You told Bones you loved her, and she told you she couldn't be more than friends and partners, so you both ran to opposite ends of the world."
"Bones is Dr. Brennan, right?" Maura asked. "But you're married now?" She knew it was wrong to pry, but she couldn't help her curiosity.
"Yeah, we figured it out eventually, but we had a few missteps first," Booth admitted. "My best advice is to just be honest with her."
Maura nodded, and Booth added, "But maybe wait until we catch the guy who took Theo and Isla. I doubt she can process much else right now."
"Honestly, neither can I," Maura admitted. "Maybe, I haven't known them long, but somehow, I already love them more than I ever thought possible."
"They're hard not to love," Aubrey said with a laugh.
"Would it be okay if I stayed to help?" Maura asked.
"Yeah, I'm not going to say no to more help on this one," Booth said. "Let's see what Rizzoli, Bones, Cam, Angela, and Hodgins have."
"Thank you," Maura said as she stood from the couch and held out her hand to shake both Booth and Aubrey's hands. She followed them out of Angela's office and onto the platform where Jane, Angela, Cam, Dr. Brennan, and Dr. Hodgins were already talking.
"What'ya got?" Booth asked after he swiped his card and the three of them walked onto the platform.
"Well, I was just telling them about the discrepancies between this case and the original Gravedigger cases. We already know that this isn't Taffet, so I figured that the ways in which this case differs from the original cases might shed some light on the M.O. of 2.0."
"2.0?" Aubrey asked.
"The Gravedigger 2.0," Hodgins interjected.
"Whatever," Booth cut them off. "Continue, please, Angela."
"Well, there are a few things, but one thing in particular is odd," Angela continued. "The container that the kids were buried in was significantly larger than we would expect given the timeline given in the ransom call. Based on their sizes, they likely had 72-75 hours before loss of oxygen or carbon dioxide build up became an issue. This could indicate that 2.0 isn't as intelligent as Taffet, but I don't know. If it were just a little bit off, or even off by 24 hours, then, maybe I would believe that, but given the difference, I think 2.0 wanted them to survive longer. The question is why."
"Dehydration would have become an issue by 72 hours, though," Maura added. She glanced at Jane, and she could see how tense her friend was. Jane hadn't said anything since Maura joined the conversation. She was standing off to the side, and her shoulders were uncharacteristically hunched. She was chewing on the side of her thumb – a nervous habit that she had had the entire time Maura had known her. Maura could also see the fear and distress evident in Jane's eyes, and all she wanted to do was walk across the platform and pull her friend into a hug. Now wasn't the appropriate time or place, though.
"That is correct. Three days is the maximum amount of time a person, even a child, can survive without water. That calculation is less precise than measuring the oxygen and CO2 levels, though, so it's not clear which would have killed them first," Dr. Brennan said.
Jane visibly flinched at the word 'killed,' and while everyone noticed, no one said anything. Jane straightened up and rubbed her hands over her face. "Okay, but why?" she asked, frustration lacing her voice.
"I don't know," Angela said. "The only thing I can think – if it wasn't a mistake or oversight – is because 2.0 wanted time to get back to them."
Maura scrunched her nose in displeasure. That seemed to be a big leap in logic that wasn't entirely based on the evidence, but she decided this wasn't the time to point that out.
"Okay, what other discrepancies were there?" Booth asked.
"Well, maybe this is obvious, but while they were sealed in an airtight container, the container wasn't actually buried," Angela said. "Taffet buried all of her victims, except Booth."
"This is also the first time that more than one ransom call has been made," Booth added.
"Is it also the first time a non-family member received a ransom call?" Aubrey asked.
"Maura is family," Jane said, speaking for the first time since the conversation had started.
Before anyone could argue, Dr. Brennan added, "I received the call for Booth. We weren't married or even dating yet at the time."
There was a moment of silence among the group. Angela was the first to speak again, "I haven't gotten anything from Jane or Maura's cell phones, but I'm still working on tracing the bank transfer."
"And I'm still processing the particulates found at the scene," Hodgins added. "We took samples from every inch of the container, inside and out, as well as from the surrounding area."
"Do we know how the container was accessed?" Maura asked. "I know the warehouse was abandoned, but the kidnapper either had to unseal the container to begin with or find a new way to seal it if he or she found it open."
"Oh, that's genius," Hodgins said, wheeling himself over to the wheelchair lift. "I gotta get back over there to see what the other containers looked like."
"I'll drive," Aubrey said, running down the steps after Hodgins.
"I'm gonna go check on the kids," Jane said.
Booth reached out to gently grab Jane's arm as she walked by. "We'll get them," Booth said quietly.
"Booth, you can't promise that," Dr. Brennan said to them.
"I know, Dr. B," Jane said, offering Dr. Brennan a tight smile. And she did know that, but she still appreciated Booth's sentiment. "But thank you," she added to Booth before continuing across the platform.
"Why don't you come with me?" Jane whispered to Maura as she reached her. Maura nodded, and Jane's hand found the small of her back, guiding her off the platform and towards Dr. Brennan's office where the kids were still with Michelle. "Thank you for staying to help," she added, once they were out of earshot of everyone else.
"Always," Maura replied. She reached out and grasped Jane's hand in her own, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Jane returned the squeeze and nodded, too choked up to say anything.
A/N: In Massachusetts, where Jane gave birth, biological fathers of children born to unwed mothers have to go to court to get parental rights. They are not automatically granted rights. If paternity is uncontested, and both parents agree to a co-parenting plan, the father can file for parental rights when the child is six months old. If they don't do so (and in this story, Casey did not do this), they do not have parental rights. I am NOT saying I agree with this policy, but my story will use that framework since it is currently what exists in Massachusetts.