Chapter two rewritten. Yes, this is my first double day upload in years. I can't promise all chapters will be pumped out day after day - but when I have time you can count on it. A/N at the end of this chapter!
When it came to Maura Isles it was safe to say that she hadn't seen her parents in a while and to be completely honest – she rarely shot a thought their way.
The blonde loved her parents to bits but Tanzania didn't leave a lot of room for spare thoughts, the past two years had been a constant pressure of keeping wildlife and crime out of the village, aid was needed everywhere she went and in theory Maura hadn't had a single day off since her arrival in Africa.
Maura rested her head back against the seat, taking a deep breath as her ears listened to the conversations going on around her in the plane. When she had heard of the incident at the parade just a short four days ago she had instantly gathered her belongings, ensured everything would be taken care of in Tanzania and left for Washington D.C.
It wasn't long till they would land at DCA, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and it was an understatement to say that Maura was nervous.
She knew her parents would be alive and well. The news had covered the incident and it was nation wide news that an agent Rizzoli had caught the bullet meant for her father and Maura wanted to meet the agent, personally thank them for their actions and of course – check up on her parents. She knew her father wouldn't be too bothered by it anymore, he was a busy man but the blonde knew her mother would still be emotional about it.
It became easy to forget the potential dangers that came with the families title while she worked on her own in another continent and it got to Maura, what if agent Rizzoli hadn't caught that bullet? She wouldn't have been able to say goodbye to her father, she would have been in Tanzania instead of being with her mother.
The blonde lightly shook her head and let out a shaky breath, the entire flight had been nothing but bad thoughts about her own actions – her mind filled with what-ifs. Turning her head to the window for a distraction she noticed the world had gotten closer to her feet again, the White House illuminated and in vision she couldn't help but crack a small smile.
X X X
''Is this really necessary?'' Constance asked, her voice insecure as she let the woman in front of her fasten the Kevlar vest around her body.
Jane held herself back from rolling her eyes. To her this was less than logic and to be fair she was terrified to take the First Lady out of the house without the proper protection needed.
''Yes. This is necessary ma'am. I know we want to keep a low profile but I need to ensure your safety for worst case scenarios.'' the brunette muttered under her breath as she tightly secured the last strap of Velcro in to place.
The first lady let out a defeated sigh and let it rest, knowing that the agent was right. She took her vest from the table in the room and pulled it over the Kevlar, zipping it up so the vest wouldn't be visible.
''Why was I chosen to protect the both of you?'' Jane asked as she turned away from the First Lady and busied herself opening the lock to the gun rack.
''Edmond set his preferences on you, actually.'' Constance said with a hint of shame in her voice. ''I wanted one of your male colleagues, someone with experience in this line of work. The blue collar Boston girl was not even on my list of preferences.'' the woman admitted as she turned her gaze back to the agent who was fastening a pistol holster to her belt, not looking up at her she knew that her words had made an impact.
''But please do know that I really do want you here. I know that I am safe with you. I guess it were the stereotypes and the fear of being thrown in to this new life that kept me from choosing you. But here you are, and words can not describe how grateful I am at how well you do your job. I do believe Edmond is intimidated by your actions, but you saved his life.'' The first lady added.
Jane now turned to the First Lady, the words mentioned earlier did hurt and confirmed her thoughts of when she first started with the Secret Service. It was a male-dominated line of work and she knew not everyone welcomed her in. Dark eyes remained focused on hands that were loading up a pistol magazine.
''I would feel intimidated too if I were the President and a woman had to save my life. We live in strange times, it could affect your reputation by …'' Jane let the words rest and her brow furrowed.
''.. a certain type of people.'' she eventually decided on, pushing the magazine in to the pistol and double checking if the weapon was on safe.
''But I can ensure you that losing your reputation with them isn't as bad as catching a bullet in the gut.''
The agent now secured her side arm in to the holster and concealed it with her jacket.
''Does it still hurt?'' Constance asked, Jane looking up at her with a sad smile.
The agent gave a small nod. ''Yeah, a bit. I'm fine though.'' the hoarse voice trying to sound as reassuring as possible when a hand rested on her shoulder. The First Lady looked at her and gently squeezed.
''I know you are not, Jane. Perhaps the wound is fine, but you aren't. Know that I am here if you need it.'' the first lady said quietly, as kind as ever.
Jane shook her head, giving the woman a small smile. ''I'm fine, Constance. I'll be okay.'' her voice breaking as she said the last three words. The brunette decided to make quick work out of ignoring it by stepping away from the First Lady, carefully patting her body to check if her concealable Kevlar was in it's proper place. She shrugged on her white button up, closed it and grabbed her suit jacket.
"Alright, it's go time. Keep that zipper up, we don't need civilians to see you are wearing Kevlar underneath.'' Jane said, locking everything up as Constance secured her zipper of her vest completely.
X X X
It was barely a 20 minute ride to the pick-up of the airport, Jane checked around to see how many cars were parked. At 1.30 in the morning it was rather calm, crowded but not as much as it would have been during the day.
The agent handed the woman next to her a pair of dark tinted aviators and a Red Sox cap from the backseat. ''Put these on, stay close and don't draw any unwanted attention. We can't afford a media coverage or another shooting.'' she rasped.
Constance nodded and did as instructed as Jane put on her own aviators, grabbing a sign from the backseat before getting out of the car.
The agent was on edge, her eyes scanning everything and everyone as they made their way through the airport and to the gate Maura would arrive at.
It wasn't long before the First Daughter made her way out of the gate, her eyes scanning the room to see if she saw anyone familiar.
Jane held up the sign she took from the car and held it up, Maura's eyes falling on the sign she smiled their way and the agent could swear that her heart skipped a beat at the sight of that smile.
Maura walked over to them, Constance lowering her glasses ever so slightly for a second to show her daughter that it was her.
''Mother.'' The blonde said relieved as she embraced her mother in a tight hug, Constance wrapping her arms around her daughter and keeping her close. Jane could have sworn the First Lady was crying.
Brown eyes scanned the room and noticed some people around them looking over and some whispering, pointing towards Constance and Maura. Her hands shot to Maura's luggage.
''We have to go, now.'' she muttered, loud enough for only the other two women to hear.
Constance nodded upon release of her daughter but Maura turned her head to Jane, almost looking offended. ''Excuse me?''
The agent looked at her before turning her gaze to the First Lady, resting her arm on the woman's back.
The determined words of the blonde interrupting them. ''I beg your pardon?'' she asked, this time almost angry as Jane had straight up ignored her the first time.
Constance cut in, ''If she says we should go, we should go.'' the woman said, defending the agent.
Maura frowned, ''Who even is-..'' she instantly fell quiet as a low, raspy and stern voice interrupted her with a hiss.
''Stop drawing attention, Maura.'' Jane said, her voice so stern and hostile that she could see fear strike in the green eyes staring back at her. Gently she nudged her head towards the exit where they were parked and started guiding Constance that way, Maura following shortly.
The agent made sure to check the car, telling Constance and Maura to get in as she put the luggage in the trunk. After slipping in the drivers seat and locking the doors she let out a deep sigh and looked in to the review mirror at a clearly confused and annoyed Maura in the back seat – she didn't blame her.
''You are very good at drawing attention, Miss.'' Jane said, trying to break the tension a bit and hoping that the blonde would ease in to her a seat a bit more.
The brunette flinched in her seat at the angry words of Constance her daughter.
''Who the hell do you think you are?! Pulling me out of the airport and commanding me around.'' Maura yelled angrily, looking back in to the review mirror only to be met with a pair of dark toned aviators. It got on her nerves that the person commanding her around didn't even have the decency to take off her glasses so she could at least know who was dragging her around.
The blonde opened her mouth but the woman in the passengers seat spoke before she could.
''Don't yell at me. Okay? I got the note.'' she said, her gaze falling from the review mirror back to the steering wheel.
Maura shook her head with a sigh and ran her hands over her face as Jane pulled out of the parking space and drove them back to the White House.
X X X
Upon arrival Maura and Constance were instantly escorted from the car and in to the halls of the White House by a hand full of other guards that were on duty.
Jane followed them in with a delay, carrying Maura's luggage.
''Oh, darling.'' Constance voice echoed through the personnel entrance hall as Jane entered with the luggage, the brunette in clear pain from carrying the weight around.
Maura was still standing at the table, introducing herself to the night guards when her mother returned with someone else. The voice that echoed sent a chill down her spine, it beamed with confidence – superiority – and.. an undertone of, pain?
''Take the luggage to the First Daughters room and please tell me that Frost is here already.'' Janes voice reverberated against the walls. Standing up straight put a currently unbearable pain on the wound, most likely from carrying the luggage but she refused to slack in front of the men she was supposed to guide.
One of the guards Maura was talking to earlier quickly nodded. ''Yes. He is guarding the Presidential bedroom.''
Jane nodded with relief. ''Thank you. You can go back to your posts now. Sorry for the delay.'' she said apologetic. The guard gave her an appreciative smile before rounding up his men and leaving the room.
On the queue of the doors closing Constance spoke up. ''I believe the two of you haven't officially met yet.''
Maura sighed deeply and turned towards her mother, the woman that she had been annoyed at most of the evening now still not having the audacity to turn around but at least she managed to get a better look at her now. Tall and slender posture, long curled raven hair – the trademark suit worn by the Secret Service. Green eyes softened at the realization.
''Jane Rizzoli.'' she said quietly.
''Yes, Miss?'' The agent responded, now turning around and taking off her glasses. She straightened her back and folded her hands behind her back.
The blonde narrowed her eyes a bit, studying the brunette in front of her. She thought it was odd that her parents hired such a slender woman to protect them, already amazed that they chose a woman in the first place in general but she had expected someone of a .. bigger build?
Maura got ripped out of her thoughts by the agents voice.
''Miss?'' Jane prodded quietly as she felt green eyes scanning her.
''I am so sorry. It is such a delight to meet you.''
Maura followed her words by holding out her hand, a firm but hesitant hold from the agents side embracing her hand and shaking it.
''The pleasure is all mine.'' the brunette said politely, flashing Maura a smile that left her speechless.
It didn't go unnoticed that Jane seemed to be a lot softer and more approachable once her men weren't around.
''Jane, would you be able to help me get my vest off?'' The First Lady asked from behind them, Jane's focus instantly shifting to the woman and letting go of Maura's hand.
"Of course Constance.'' the response came like it was programmed in to her system.
The agent quickly made her way over to Constance to help undo the Velcro and take the Kevlar off her and was met with a smile from the woman. ''Thank you. I am going to look if Edmond is awake or not, could you show Maura her room if I am not back within a few minutes?'' she asked.
''Yes, of course.'' Jane said, she got a gentle pat on the shoulder from Constance before she made her way out of the room.
Maura waited for them to be completely alone, only once the doors closed once again did she speak.
"You are back earlier than I had expected, I saw what happened on television. Thank you, for saving them.'' she said. Her gaze didn't leave the agents hands as they hung their jacket over a chair and reached to unbutton the neatly straightened white button-up. Her eyes widened.
''Whoa, what are you doing?'' she asked shocked.
''Taking my blouse off.'' Jane said confused as she took the blouse off with a slight wince and laying it down on the table, exposing the concealed Kevlar she was wearing underneath it.
''Oh.'' the blonde said, yet not looking away as the agent undid the Velcro.
''Could you perhaps turn around so I can take it off and put my shirt on again?'' Jane's voice quieter as she gave the First Daughter a sheepish smile, brown eyes meeting with green.
''Why, are you naked under there?'' Maura responded with a small smile, the agents sheepish smile turning to an amused one.
''No, but I don't know what my bandages will look like and I don't want you to see them in case they are bloody or something.'' she said quietly, her voice giving away more than just that to the blonde – it showed embarrassment and she could see the train of thought going on behind the green eyes as they studied her face. It was true, Jane was embarrassed of the injury. Regardless of why she obtained them, the cause of the accident was because there must have been a flaw in her safety protocol.
''I can handle some blood. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Does it still hurt?'' the voice responding softer, caring.
''It does. Its only the fourth day after the incident but it's part of the job. I can't leave your parents waiting for too long.'' the brunette responded with a shrug of her shoulders.
''It was a clean shot in and out, they stitched what they had to and covered it up. I'll survive.'' a reassuring smile was shot Maura's way.
''Just don't overwork yourself, and I won't turn around.'' Maura said, taken off guard by the hoarse chuckle that came from the agent.
''Alright then, fine.'' the brunette responded. Jane took off the vest and put it aside, Maura's mouth running dry by seeing the toned body covered with bandages in front of her. The bandages hid some of the view but it wasn't hard to see the agent was well build.
Jane checked her bandages and was relieved to see they were clean. Upon picking up her blouse she met the staring gaze of the First Daughter.
''You're enjoying the view?'' she teased as she pulled on her blouse and started to button it up.
Maura's eyes widened and her mouth slightly agape at the question.
''That – That is highly inappropriate to ask..'' she responded, her voice in a slightly higher pitch trying to hide the amusement of the agents question.
''But?'' Jane asked with a grin as she looked back up at the woman. She could see the blonde hesitating before she spoke again.
''I did. I did enjoy it.'' Maura said just above a whisper, almost sounding ashamed. The two women shared a brief smile as Edmond and Constance came in to the room again, Frost right behind them.
Frost was a former CIA agent and recently made his career shift, getting assigned to work the evening job a few weeks after Jane got hired. His first name was Barold but the last time Jane called him that she received a punch the stomach. Ever since then it has been Frost and he has been a really nice guy.
''Well, Miss. If you have any problems or need my services tonight, you can reach me on the emergency number.'' Jane said, pressing the shorter woman a small card in to her hands.
Maura took it without questions and secured it inside her pocket.
''My shift is officially over. It was at 11 already, but we had to ensure you came to the House in one piece. I will be back at 6.30. I would be delighted to see you again tomorrow.'' the brunette added as she took a hold of the blondes hand.
Maura felt her breath hitch in the back of her throat as the agent gave her a smile, stepped in a bit closer and gently shook her hand.
''Goodnight, Maura.'' The agent said as she let go of the First Daughters hand again, sending a quick wink her way before grabbing her jacket and leaving the room.
On her way out Jane wished the Presidential a good night for as far as it lasted, traded a quick handshake with Frost and left. Finally she could go home, sleep for the remaining hours her night had left but Maura not leaving her mind for a second of it.
A/N: I have a lot to apologize for as I have been very absent the past years.
But it is time to make up for those empty promises and the more I read through the story, the more I fall in love with it again.
I hope that with these updates I can bring back your love for this story as well as I bring this story to the ending it deserves.
I am trying hard not to change too much of its current writing style, just to expand and correct where it is needed but every chapter will have been rewritten word by word.
I know most of you have lost your hope for this story and I do apologize, however know that I am here for myself as well.
If you still follow this story only to comment or PM me rude messages, see yourself out.
Let me and the ones that waited for this enjoy it.
I hope all of you have been staying well during this pandemic. Stay safe, wear your masks and untill next chapter.
-USK