Hi all!

Sorry about the last few cliffhangers, it's just that sort of feel at the moment with this story! I'll try not to leave you hanging for so long next time!

Thanks as always to JaneyGWF for her betaing and support! And also thanks to everyone who has been reviewing and supporting this story, it really does mean a lot to me when I hear from someone!

I hope you enjoy this latest chapter, please let me know what you think!

Don't breathe don't breathe don't breathe don't breathe…

Maura resolutely focussed her mind on that simple task, knowing that if she caught the scent of Susie's blood, it would be over. Everything in the knowledge she had absorbed from the Cullens told her how close to impossible it was to resist the lure of a bleeding human up close, and that was without the additional burden of being a newborn. As far as she'd come, Maura was still in the first year after becoming a vampire, and the challenge literally in front of her was one she was entirely unprepared for.

However, since failure would mean killing a woman she counted amongst her closest friends before everything had changed, Maura was determined to try with everything she had. Even if the sentiment wasn't returned, Maura still cared about Susie, and she knew it would be unforgivable to hurt her.

Maura opened her eyes, hoping to determine how dire their situation actually was. Unfortunately, the debris from the ceiling of the morgue had completely cut them off from any light sources, leaving even her vampiric eyes utterly blind.

Maura closed her eyes again, finding the total darkness disconcerting. She tried shifting her shoulders slightly, testing the security of the heavy weight above her, but stopped immediately when a fresh shower of rubble moved around them. Maura froze, locking her limbs in position, and resigned herself to wait until they were rescued. She knew that if anyone had survived Alec's attack, Jane would ensure they knew there were survivors in the ruins of the morgue and get rescuers mobilised as fast as possible.

Susie abruptly coughed and groaned, and Maura could feel the small woman shifting underneath the shelter of her stone body. Fortunately it appeared that Susie had fallen directly under Maura, and had avoided having any limbs crushed under the debris. Maura internally sighed in relief, thankful that Susie was intact for now, but she couldn't help wishing that Susie had been knocked unconscious, as it would have made enduring the wait for rescue much less stressful for both of them.

Instead, Susie stilled her body, and coughed again before croaking out a few strained words. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

Maura realised abruptly that Susie had no way to know there was anyone else trapped with her. The complete darkness, combined with Maura's absolute silence and stillness, would mask her presence entirely. Despite her urge to comfort her friend, Maura knew she couldn't risk breathing.

Susie waited for a few moments before starting to move again, her hand briefly brushing along Maura's side as she reached for her phone. After a few moments of shuffling around, Maura heard the power button on Susie's phone being pressed, before Susie let out a startled scream, doubtless surprised to find another person lying over her instead of shapeless wreckage.

Susie apparently dropped her phone in shock before speaking hesitantly. "Dr Isles? Is that you?"

Maura didn't know what to do. She knew Susie had recognised her voice and wanted to answer her, but she couldn't move for fear of burying them both, and she couldn't speak since she couldn't risk breathing, which left her stuck impersonating a statue under a balaclava.

Susie's fingers carefully made their way to the bottom of the mask Maura was wearing, and slowly pulled it up and over her face. The solid mass sitting on top of Maura's head stopped Susie from being able to remove it completely, but Maura could feel that her face was exposed.

Realising that keeping her eyes closed wasn't going to help, Maura reluctantly opened them and looked at Susie apologetically. In the light of the phone, Maura could see that she was braced directly above Susie, her hands and knees taking the full load of the debris, and her face mere inches from Susie's. Maura's eyes immediately flicked to the cut on Susie's forehead, which had almost stopped bleeding, before she resolutely forced her gaze away, staring at the floor under Susie.

Susie frowned at the interaction, holding the phone closer to Maura's face as she peered at her in confusion. "Dr Isles? Maura? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Maura stayed frozen, unable to speak for fear of what she might do. Instead, she reached within her mind for the lost ability stolen from Jane, in the hope she could put Susie to sleep without having to move. Maura could clearly remember exactly what it had felt like to use that ability, she could practically feel the synapses it had used, but as hard as she tried, she couldn't access the power when she needed it most. Defeated, Maura returned her attention to Susie's presence, resigned to the fact that she was going to have to get out of this without any super powers to help her.

Susie frowned in confusion, before speaking again louder, as if Maura might not have heard her. "Maura? Are you injured? Can you speak?"

Maura decided to risk shaking her head, but as soon as she started to turn her neck, the wreckage moved again, showering Susie with small chunks of concrete and eliciting a small yelp from the harried woman. Maura froze again, a frustrated frown appearing on her face as she contemplated her options.

Susie took a few moments to shine the light around the small space they were trapped in, trying to see what their situation was. She held the phone above her face, squinting in the absence of her glasses, flicking through a few screens before huffing in defeat. "No signal. Hopefully the others are okay and are trying to get us out."

Maura considered how to approach communication, thinking about blinking in Morse code, when she suddenly became aware of Susie's scent. She hadn't inhaled at all, but somehow the smell of blood was slowly pervading her senses. Maura slammed her eyes closed in consternation, realising that the enclosed space was preventing the scent from dissipating, and despite the fact that no air was being drawn into her lungs, it was still drifting through her nasal passages. Despite her caution, Maura was drowning in the aroma of the prey not three inches from her teeth, and she felt her control start to slip.

Maura could feel the heat of Susie's body, the pulse of her heart, the whisper of her laboured breaths, and her vampiric instincts screamed at her to give in. Her mind skittered through memories of how good it felt to taste human blood, how satiated she had felt, how powerful. Maura's mouth crept open, and a small whimper of thirst left her burning throat.

In a last ditch effort of resistance, Maura frantically cast her mind back to the last time she had acted on those instincts. She remembered the sensation of a living being she loved falling lifelessly from her arms. She remembered the look on her best friend's face when the realisation of the act sank in for the first time. She remembered the months of torturous grief and self-hatred, and the complete loss of self that had resulted from her betrayal of everything she believed in.

She remembered the last time Angela had looked at her with love and acceptance, and made herself feel the pain of knowing her own failure to control herself had cost her the chance of ever feeling the warmth of her love again.

With an agonised and strangled scream, Maura ignored the blood lust threatening to overtake her, and her control slammed back into place. She held the image in her mind like a shield, keeping her vampiric self buried and allowing the human to take over once more.

Another cascade of rubble was enough to make her realise she had unthinkingly moved closer to Susie, her mouth open in a predatory snarl, her movements shifting the load above her. Her awareness of her surroundings returned in a rush, making her realise that Susie was pressing against her shoulders in a futile effort to keep her away.

Maura jerked upwards suddenly, her eyes snapping open and finding Susie's fear filled gaze locked onto her. Maura couldn't help her instinctive breath, and despite the increase in the intensity of Susie's scent, Maura didn't waver.

Deciding that she couldn't stay silent, and that her tenuous control could withstand a few moments of speech, Maura spoke as gently as she could. "I'm sorry, Susie. I'm so sorry."

Susie's expression was a confused mix of fear, disgust, confusion and disbelief. She remained in shocked silence for several long moments before speaking in a frightened and incredulous voice. "So it's true? The rumours, the jokes, the conspiracy theories? I defended you! I said it wasn't possible! But they were right?"

Maura frowned in confusion, not having any idea what rumours Susie was referring to. Susie shook her head in disbelief before continuing. "It's the only thing that makes sense. You disappeared, then came back different. You never ate anything. You never went out in daylight. Your autopsies were suddenly perfect, finding evidence in minutes that should have taken hours for a normal medical examiner, even you."

Maura was growing more uneasy the longer Susie talked. The distraction of her instincts was being overpowered by the almost certainty that Susie had figured out her secret. Maura didn't know what to do. Anything she said would probably only confirm any theories Susie had at this point. Instead, she let her protégé continue, hoping against all odds that she'd come to an erroneous conclusion that was far less dangerous than the truth.

Susie continued unforgivingly, the evidence she'd clearly been gathering for months pouring out as the picture became clear. "Then you disappear again, and Detective Rizzoli accuses you of killing her mother, without any good reason as to why. Then the crime rate in this city plummets to the point where we're barely needed anymore, because of some mysterious vigilante, who seems particularly focussed on protecting Detective Rizzoli. Then Frankie is sent to help find a serial killer that turns out to be a vampire cult. And now suddenly you're here, protecting us after someone blows up BPD, dressed like a spy or…something. Not to mention catching the entire roof of the morgue when it fell on me. And saving me. Thanks for that by the way. And now you're also apparently having trouble not biting me."

Maura's winced, but didn't deny anything. Susie looked into Maura's eyes, her expression becoming more sympathetic as she truly saw the struggle Maura was experiencing. "You're a vampire, right? I'm guessing you got turned into one the first time you disappeared, and you tried to keep going on with your life. Then something happened, and Angela got killed. And you've been trying to make things right ever since."

Maura sighed, knowing that her hope that her logical and observant friend had missed the signs had been futile from the start, but needing to try until the end to maintain her secret. "I thought I taught you never to guess."

Susie shrugged with the ghost of a smile. "Well, my new boss isn't as good as you, he lets me get away with it. And it's allowed when I'm right. Don't try to lie, Maura, you were never any good at it."

Maura smiled wanly back, giving up the pretence with no small amount of relief. "No, I never was. And you are correct, about everything. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, as much as I wanted to. It isn't safe for anyone to know."

Susie nodded slowly. "I wish you'd told me. I might have been able to help somehow."

Maura grimaced, her eyes closing in regret. "I don't think anyone could have helped me. Jane tried, and look where it got her."

Susie frowned in confusion. "So she knew? From the start?"

Maura opened her eyes again, remembering not to nod for fear of causing another collapse. "Yes. She was with me when I was accidentally bitten. She helped me through the transition, and everything that happened afterwards."

Susie frowned more deeply. "And now? I mean she obviously knew who you were today. Does that mean she's okay with everything?"

Maura let out a deep breath, her tone taking on a disbelieving tone. "Somehow, yes. She says she's forgiven me for her mother's death, and we've been working together to protect people."

Susie contemplated Maura for several long moments. "Have you forgiven yourself?"

Maura was shocked at the question. "Of course not! I killed Angela! Whatever other circumstances existed, that fact remains, and I can never forgive myself."

Susie nodded, but continued in a firm tone. "Explain to me what you could have done differently that day to prevent her death."

Maura sighed in resignation. "I could have taken myself out of the situation earlier. I could have made sure I wasn't anywhere near the Rizzolis. I could have hidden away in a forest somewhere nobody would ever be endangered by my existence."

Susie looked puzzled. "So if that was an option, why didn't you?"

A frown seeped into Maura's expression. "I didn't think it was an option at the time. I had been told by the vampire who kidnapped us that I had to go back to my human life and conceal vampire activity, or my loved ones would be harmed."

Susie couldn't quite stop the knowing smile after hearing Maura's reasoning. "So you couldn't actually have stayed away. You were doing everything you could to protect us by staying here. If you'd run, you could have caused more deaths than just Angela's."

Maura closed her eyes in irritation. "I don't know. I'm not even sure if I was actually being watched. For all I know, the other vampire would have just left everyone alone if I'd run."

Susie huffed impatiently. "But for all you know, you were being watched, and that vampire could have followed through on her threat."

Maura couldn't argue the point, meeting Susie's gaze reluctantly. "Okay, yes, I know that with the information I had, I couldn't have risked leaving before Angela was killed. And that vampire was the catalyst for Angela's death, she was there that day, and she forced the circumstances. I resisted her and provoked her, and Angela paid the price."

Susie squinted in confusion. "It doesn't sound like you to provoke someone. Why did you do it?"

Another frown appeared. "I'm still not entirely sure. I think the best way to explain it is in terms of instinct. An unfortunate side effect of my new state is a slew of instinctual urges and imperatives, which sometimes override my old personality. My usual logic was superseded by the overwhelming need to fight back, to resist, and I got swept up in the sensation. The confrontation did actually progress to the point where I had caused her to back down, until Angela walked in unexpectedly."

Susie smiled again. "It sounds to me as if you did everything you could. I don't know all the details, but I do know you. Or at least I knew you before all this happened. You would have done everything in your power to stop yourself. Whatever other instincts you have, I think you still are the same nurturing, caring, empathetic and protective person you always were. I also think Jane is right to have forgiven you."

When Maura didn't respond, Susie continued on unflinchingly. "And I think Angela would have forgiven you too. She loved you, she was proud to be a part of your life, and I think she would have understood that you did the best you could."

Maura still didn't respond, so Susie raised her voice. "Look at what you're doing now! I'm guessing those instincts you mentioned are telling you to kill me right now! And instead, you're holding up a collapsed building to keep me alive! You came here with Jane today to save people! You've been protecting this city for months! Tell me that someone who didn't care would do all of that!"

Maura flinched at the mention of killing Susie, but finally looked at Susie and answered, her voice strained and heavy. "I do care! But doing good things now doesn't make up for the one utterly despicable thing I did in a moment of brainless instinct! I can't ever take that back!"

Susie put a hand on Maura's shoulder. "I know. Jane knows that too. But as horrible as the memory of that act must be, you're using it to guide your actions now."

Maura looked pleadingly at Susie. She wanted to heed what Susie was saying, to let go of the weight of guilt and shame that had sat in her soul for months, but it had never felt right to forgive herself. It didn't feel respectful of Angela's memory, or fit with her own morality. It would never be okay with Maura that someone had died by her hands.

In that moment of doubt, Maura's attention wavered slightly. Her blood lust, which had been shrouded under the emotions brought up by their conversation, reared up and pushed against her control, making Maura wince and let out a strangled cry. Susie shrank away and covered her face as Maura yanked her head as far away as possible, desperately trying to withstand the temptation of the alluring scent surrounding her.

Maura let out another anguished scream, before she looked back at Susie with determination. "No. I can do this. I won't let this happen again. They'll come for you, they'll get you out. I can do this. Angela will be the only one. Never again. I can do this."

Susie lowered her arms, her expression not fearful as expected, but instead respectful, thankful and sympathetic. She sensed that Maura needed another push and finished her argument with authority, her voice strong and certain despite Maura's display of weakness. "You can do this. I've known you for years, Maura. I know how you think. I know the things that drive you. I know how you feel about crime, psychology, violence, punishment, penance, all of it. I've watched you struggle with the knowledge that you might be a killer. I know you would tell the truth, both to others and yourself, no matter what it might cost you. I assume the reason Jane forgave you is because you told her everything, and let her work out how she felt about it. And I'm telling you now, the old human Maura would look at all the information available and tell you she forgives you too. Are you going to do less than your old self would have done?"

Maura gaped at Susie, unable to even start to formulate a reply, when light suddenly burst into the small space. A cloud of dust enveloped the pair, sending Susie into a coughing fit and giving Maura a much appreciated relief from the scent, before a male voice echoed into the rubble. "Susie! Are you okay? Can you hear me?"

Susie smiled in relief, shielding her eyes from the harsh light. "Detective Korsak! Yes, I'm okay!"

More rubble fell away, and Korsak's hand reached into the opening. "We've almost reached you. Just hang in there for a few more minutes!"

Korsak pulled away, the sound of rescuers becoming apparent as they worked to reach their buried criminalist. Susie looked up at Maura, who still looked flabbergasted at Susie's outpouring of support. "Maura, they're almost here. After we get out, will I see you again?"

Maura frowned. "I'm not sure. There's a lot going on. Frankie's missing, and we need to find him. The vampire that trapped us in here has him. I don't know what he wants, but given what happened between me and the vampire involved in Angela's death, there's a high probability that this won't end well for me."

Susie gasped breathily at Maura's confession. "Can I help? Can anyone help? Please, Maura, don't do this alone. You don't have to. Tell me how I can help, please."

Before Maura could answer, a man appeared at the hole, and more rubble fell away. "Miss, we've stabilised the roof temporarily. We need to get you out now. Are you injured?"

Susie frowned at Maura, knowing she wasn't going to involve anyone else whether she needed help or not. She was too stubborn, and too determined to keep everyone out of vampire business. Instead of demanding an answer, Susie reached up and pulled Maura's mask back into place and whispered too softly for the rescue worker to hear. "You better do everything you can to survive this. There are still plenty of people who care about you. I want to see you again, understand?"

Susie gave Maura's shoulder a thankful squeeze, then moved towards the entrance. "I'm not hurt. I'm crawling out."

The rescue worker moved out of the way, allowing Susie to crawl after him. Maura waited until she heard them leave the vicinity, silence reclaiming the destroyed morgue quickly once the humans departed. Once again, Maura found herself alone in the dark.

However, she knew she needed to move. Slowly, Maura shifted towards the hole, allowing the weight above her to settle as gently as possible. Before she had moved a foot towards freedom, the roof above her groaned threateningly, and she made a quick decision.

Engaging every bit of her vampiric speed and strength, Maura burst out of the hole, the rubble collapsing completely behind her. She fought her way through shifting rocks and jutting structural beams, crashing through a half collapsed wall before finding the light and racing towards it. As the building creaked and shuddered around her, Maura flung herself through the opening and out into the sunlight.

Her vampiric eyes quickly ascertained that there were multiple rescuers still in the vicinity, all running away from the sudden collapse of the morgue that she had caused. Susie was looking back fearfully, but she immediately smiled in relief when she saw Maura standing free of the wreck. They shared a brief, sad wave of farewell, before Maura focused on the task ahead of her.

Maura ignored the bustle and noise around her and used her enhanced sense of smell to try and find Jane. She caught the scent as it left the morgue loading dock, and followed it away from the building, ducking out of sight of the humans as she moved.

The scent ended suddenly when it reached the street, and Maura's heart sank when she picked up a new scent overlaying Jane's.

It was a vampire. The same vampire that had been at the crime scene in New York.

She was too late.

Alec had Jane.

Maura followed the trail, running as fast as vampirically possible, hoping desperately that she wasn't too late.