N Chapter 18:
TW: This chapter takes about foster care abuse. If that's not your thing I suggest stopping the story here.
By the end of the song, I am crying because with every word she was singing to me I felt so deeply. I have never had a love like this before.
Jane POV:
I sit here on the workout bench trying to figure out how I can workout. I cannot seem to understand how I can do anything for myself. I have to rely on Maura for everything and I can't expect her to do everything for me. I know that she doesn't mind but I am a very independent person. I feel like I am a burden on her by asking or having her do all of these things for me during the day.
I hear rustling near the door and look up to see Maura entering through the door frame.
"What are you doing in here?"
"Attempting to workout." I say unapologetically.
"Why would you do that? You just shattered your wrist Jane. You cannot possibly think that this is just going to go away." There is clear irritation in her voice.
"Maura I'm not me if I don't continue the way I normally do." I muttered.
"Yes you are. First, you need to give it time. Second, you might need to find a different way to do things. Third, you aren't a burden because you are hurt. You aren't a burden at all. I enjoy having you here. And I am not mad because you have difficulties. I rejoice in the fact that you allow me to help during those times. I know how hard it is for you to ask for help but sometimes we all need a little help."
"How did you know I feel like a burden?" I look up at her.
"How many times have you gotten injured and wouldn't let me help before you finally started. You didn't want to rely on me or need me." She says sweetly.
"I was thinking maybe we could go to our property. Have a picnic today. At least get out of the house. I feel like I've been confined to a space these past few days and I just need to get out. Please?" I smile at her.
"I think that is a great idea. Let me make some snacks, and we can think of how we want to arrange the property. I'll bring the blank blueprints."
"Yea I think that would be a great idea." I stand up and walk towards her. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her too me.
Briiiiinnggggggg briiiiiiinnnnnnngggg
She goes back into the bedroom to grab the phone. " ."
"I will ask her if she feels comfortable coming with me. Either way I'll be there soon."
"Okay thank you."
She comes back into the room, "Babe, we have an issue."
I am immediately at her side. "Are you okay?"
"I am. I just got a call to a scene. They said you might be able to help. There was a 12 year old foster child at the scene who was the one to discover the body. It was the foster father. Frost said they could really use your help. Only if you are feeling up to it."
"Yes of course. Let me just get dressed."
"Has anyone been able to interview the child?"
"No."
R&I&R&I&R&I&R&I&R&I&R&I&R&I&R&I&R&I&R&I&R&IR&I&R&I&R&I&R&I
We arrive on scene. I walk over to Frost, "What do we have?"
"Marcus O'Donnell, looks like a homicide. Foster child discovered the body after arriving home from school. She hasn't said a word. She has just been sitting in my car staring out the window. I thought that maybe you could get her to talk. She needs to go to the hospital but when I called EMS she started freaking out."
"Sounds like an abuse case. Alright, let's see if Maura and I can get her to go to the ER."
I walk over to the unmarked car. And see a young girl, couldn't be more than 13 sitting in the passenger seat. I step in and show my badge before moving to open the door.
"Hi, my name is Jane. My partner Barry is the one who brought you the car right?"
She just nods her head.
"Can you tell me your name?" I ask softly.
"It's Victoria." She says timidly.
"Okay Victoria. My girlfriend is right over there. She is the medical examiner. Would it be okay if she just checked you out for injuries?" I ask.
"I guess." She shrugs.
I walk over to Maura and whisper to her, "The young girl is named Victoria. I asked her if she would be okay with you checking her for injuries."
"Yea I think that would be a good idea."
"Come on, we can do it together." I take her hand and lead her over to Victoria.
Maura POV:
The young child looks slightly malnourished. "Hi, my name is Maura. I am a doctor. I hear your name is Victoria,
"Hi."
Jane kneels next to the car, "Alright Victoria, Maura is just going to do a quick check here but we will need to go to the ER. Maura and I will go with you. Does that sound okay?"
"Why do I have to go to the hospital?" She starts to cry.
"Hey it's okay, we just want to make sure that you are okay. We will be right there the entire time."
"Promise you won't leave." She looks at me next.
"We won't, one or both of us will be with us at all times."
"Do I have to ride in an ambulance? Or can one of you drive me?"
"I think we could drive you, as long as you aren't in any immediate pain. Is that okay with you Jane?"
"Yes that would be okay. Since I am not the one working you should probably go tell Frost or Korsak that you are leaving."
"Okay." I walk back from the car but when I look back I see a smile on Jane's face.
I quickly find Korsak, "Sergeant Korsak Jane and I are going to take Victoria to the ER, she doesn't like ambulances."
"Okay, when do you think that you will have the autopsy results?"
"I told Victoria that Jane and I would take her to the ER together. I am calling in because I won't have a timeline of care for her."
"Okay doc thank you"
I walk back towards the car and see Jane and Victoria laughing. "Hey what's so funny?"
"Jane said a joke." Victoria said with a small smile.
"Oh can I hear it?" I ask Victoria.
"What did the police officer say to his belly button?" Victoria asked.
"What?"
"You're under a vest." She breaks out laughing. I chuckle with her. `
"That's a good one, alright are we ready to go?"
"Yes."
"Jane, would you sit with me in the backseat? I just don't want to be back there alone."
"Yea I can do that."
"Then let's go."
Jane and Victoria get into the backseat as I get into the driver seat. The drive was silent and I could feel her anxiety as we got closer to the hospital. Once we get there I hear tears, I turn around and see her start to cry. "Hey love, are you okay?"
"Yes. No. I'm not sure."
"Do you want to talk about it before we go in?"
"About what?"
"I don't like the hospital because everytime that I go I get left there until the social worker comes and gets me to take me to a new place that is worse than the last."
"I won't let anything happen to you, love. We will be right there the entire time." I say to ease her nerves.
"Promise?"
"We promise. We will do this together with all three of us. And you won't have to go anywhere that you don't want to go I promise."
"Okay I think I am ready."