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Disclaimer: I don't own R&I and the song.

Chapter 13

" Need your lovin' here beside me

(To guide me) Keep it close enough to guide me

(Inside of me) From the fears that are inside of me

You're the biggest part of me"

~ Biggest Part of Me by Ambrosia

Michael Hanson has finally turned up. And Dinah was true to her words. She convinced Michael to talk to Jane about the murder he saw that's why Jane had a call today. Dinah accompanied Michael to the station so he and the detective could talk. Dinah stayed at the cafe as she waits for Michael to return from the interview room. This was a perfect distraction for Jane after all the events that happened at Maura's house.

Michael was hesitant to talk at first. He was so scared and nervous to tell Jane and Korsak what exactly happened that day. He's wearing white ragged clothes covered in dirt. Even his skin is covered with dirt. His pants are slightly ripped as well as his boots. His sandy brown hair is disheveled and in disarray. And his eyes are fearful. But when Jane told him that everything is alright and that she just needed his statement, he finally explained every detail he can remember during that horrible day. According to what he saw, it was Mr. Sullivan who was holding the thirty-eight caliber revolver pointing at the alleyway. Michael didn't see the man fired the gun though. According to him, he heard a gunshot and upon hearing it, he immediately went to where it came from. No one was there except for three people. The man holding the gun. A woman inside the car, crying hysterically who couldn't move because she was tied to the car seat. And the girl, lying dead on the ground. Michael tried not to be seen by them. But he could definitely identify the man who was holding the gun and the color of the car. It was enough for them to pin the murder to Mr. Sullivan after Michael identified him.

"Do you think he saw you?" Jane asked.

Michael shrugged, now looking down as he's tired of the day's events. "He might have. I saw him looking at the front mirror when I was fleeing."

Jane put her hand on the boy's hand on top of the table. "Don't worry. We will keep you safe. I promise you, nothing bad will happen to you."

"Can I go now?"

"Yes. I'll have a uniform escort you to Dinah," Korsak said as he gestured the cop guarding the door.

"Thank you so much for your help, Michael. It was such a good help," Jane smiled.

"Dinah said you are a good cop. And I should do the right thing," Michael said, not meeting Jane's gaze.

Jane nodded. "You did the right thing by coming here. Thank you."

As soon as Jane and Korsak were left inside the interview room, Jane turned to Korsak. "Well, at least we got something now. We just gotta find the Sullivans. By now, we don't know if Dana Sullivan is still alive."

Korsak nodded. "We got a match from one of Patrick Sullivan's car to the statement of Michael. We need to put a high alert on his car."

"It's probably dumped by now."

"I know. But it's still a catch. We got nothing to go on if we don't find it."

Jane nodded. "And we need to keep digging of the list of places he owns," She sighed. "I really wanted to put an end to this."

Korsak glanced at the clock and noticed that it's already seven thirty in the evening. "Hey, you going back to Maura's?"

Jane stiffened then shook her head. "No. Why?"

"It's your Sunday dinner, right?"

"Don't feel like it. After all, I need to make paperwork for Michael's statement."

Korsak studied the change of Jane's mood. He checked his phone and noticed that there were five messages waiting for him. Three from Maura. One from Angela. And one from Frankie.

"Hey, Jane."

"Yeah?" She turned back to look at him.

"Maura, Angela, and Frankie were texting me looking for you."

"I turned off my phone, maybe that's why they're contacting you."

He eyed his partner. "What should I tell them?"

"Nothing. Ignore them." She stood up and walked towards the door. "I'll do the paperwork and head home after."

"Something happened, Jane?"

Jane smiled weakly at Korsak seeing the concern in his voice and eyes. "Yes. But I don't wanna talk about it. I'd rather deal with the paperwork. Thank you for asking though."

Jane finished the report by nine in the evening and she already felt tired. She thought of having drinks in the Dirty Robber before going back to her apartment but thought better of it. And since she has work tomorrow and needs to be early at the station, she decided to head home. The hallway to her apartment door was a little dark but since she's already used to this, her eyes adjusted immediately to the darkness making her walk towards her apartment door without trouble.

She opened the door using her keys. The room was dark, cold, and empty like what she's feeling right now. She was happy for the distraction that happened earlier. But when she finished her work for the night, all the events that happened in Maura's house before she left came flashing back in her mind. And it was like, she's stabbing herself with a knife all over again. She closed the door and the deadbolt then flipped on the lights. She was surprised to see Maura sitting on the couch, eyes closed. She looked peaceful but also tired. Suddenly all the anger she feels dissipated and was replaced with concern over her friend. Maura must have been sitting on her couch for some time. Jane sat beside Maura and shook the doctor lightly. Jane's guard was up again and the cold and steely facade was plastered on her face again.

"Maura..." Jane whispered.

Maura's eyes fluttered open. She looked up and saw cold dark brown eyes staring down at her. "Jane."

Jane stood up and went to the fridge and got herself a beer. Maura followed her with her gaze. "You didn't reply," Maura said.

"I was interviewing the witness for Lily Sullivan's murder. We could finally put an end to the case if we find the couple." Jane replied as she sipped on her beer.

"You just left my house," Maura said softly and Jane wouldn't be able to hear it if she wasn't paying attention.

Jane clutched the beer bottle tightly making her knuckles go white. "I told you I had an interview with our witness. And by the way, shouldn't you be at your house with Jack tonight?" The question was delivered cold and when Jack's name left the detective's lips, it left a bitter taste on her tongue.

"Will you sit down with me?"

Jane didn't respond. She just looked at Maura then did what she was told. She continued drinking her beer without looking at her companion who is obviously trying to calm herself.

"So what's up? What happened after I left?" Jane found herself asking but not meeting her best friend's gaze.

Maura took a deep breath and shifted a little on her seat. "When Casey proposed to you, I was thrilled at first," Maura looked ahead as her eyes brimmed tears, but a bittersweet smile crossed her lips, remembering the day Jane showed up in her lab with a ring on her finger. "I thought finally my best friend will get to marry the love of her life." Jane didn't respond. It was hard when a lump was formed in her throat as well as when her eyes brimmed with her own tears.

"Then, later on, that happiness was immediately replaced with dread and devastation because it means, there's a possibility that you will be going with Casey to Afghanistan to be the general's wife. It was dreadful to me because you are the only best friend I ever had and my most trusted person in my life. It hurt me knowing that you will probably leave me, too. I know it was selfish to feel that way. So, I decided to be the supportive best friend you needed despite that I don't agree with how he treated you."

Jane sighed, wiping her tears away then looked at Maura. She moved a little to place a comforting hand on the doctor's shoulder but Maura stopped her. She didn't want to be touched, right now.

"Maura, why are you telling me this?"

"I need to know what you feel. I need to know what you felt over Jack's proposal."

Jane clenched her fist. Her jaw tightened. Clearly, anger is written all over her face. "Why does it matter? Is it that important?"

"It is important to me!" Maura burst out. She flashed an angry look at Jane matching the detective's. Then Maura whispered. "I need to know because you matter to me. Because you are important to me."

Jane's eyes softened. This time when she reached forward, Maura didn't stop her. "I was hurt." She held out her hand and wiped Maura's tears with her thumb. "And I felt scared. Betrayed. Jealous. Because whenever I plan on doing something big out of my comfort zone, he's always one step ahead of me." Maura met her gaze and closed her eyes as she leaned on Jane's touch. "I should be thrilled for you but I couldn't be. I couldn't keep lying to myself and say that it's fine. That I'm fine because I'm not. I'm not, Maura. And it's killing me." Jane sobbed.

"Jane." Maura reached out and gathered her best friend in her arms, letting her cry. She, too, began to cry. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"You shouldn't be. You shouldn't be sorry that Jack loves you that much and wants to marry you. You're amazing, Maur. Selfless. I told you before that you two are perfect for each other, right?"

"I didn't say yes."

Jane must not have heard Maura correctly so she asked. "What?"

"I didn't say yes to his proposal."

Jane immediately sat up and stared at her best friend's eyes, horrified. There was a smile on Maura's face. "What? Why? Oh my God did I ruin it? Was I... Did they..."

"Jane..."

"Did he know what we talked about the other night? I'm so sorry, Maura. I didn't mean to ruin it. I didn't mean to..."

"Jane! I didn't say yes because whatever is this I'm feeling for you prevented me from saying yes to him." Maura said, finally making Jane shut her mouth up.

"What? Why?" Jane is still stunned at the turn of events.

"Because damn it, Jane, I'm choosing you. I'm choosing you over him. I'm choosing my best friend over my boyfriend. I'm choosing whatever this is," Maura pointed on her chest, "over the marriage he proposed. Don't you get it, Jane? I'm choosing you." Another wave of tears flowed freely on Maura's cheeks.

Jane is still frozen in her place. Eyes wide, just staring at Maura. She still couldn't believe the doctor's confession. "You're choosing a dangerous life over a peaceful life." It wasn't a question but a statement.

Maura nodded her head. "Yes, I am. And I know I won't regret it."

"How can you say that?" Jane felt her eyes getting hot again as tears welled up again.

Maura smiled. This time it was a genuine smile though there are still tears in her eyes. "Because I never regret anything I've done with you."

This time, Jane let her tears flow freely. Maura, as if on instinct, moved forward and cupped Jane's cheeks with both her hands. She wiped the tears on Jane's face with both her thumbs as she caressed the detective's face softly. Jane leaned on the touch. She never felt softness and gentleness in her entire life.

"You are the biggest part of me, Jane."

Maura felt like doing it. She wasn't thinking now just acting on her feelings. She wanted to kiss Jane to finally put an end to her misery and pain. She slowly leaned forward and captured Jane's lips with her own. Surprisingly, Jane did not freak out from the gesture. They didn't move. Their lips were just touching each other like a peck but longer than a friendly kiss. It was gentle. Full of love they didn't expect. Full of warmth and reassurances. It felt like home. The kiss did actually ease all the pain they're feeling. And they were wondering why it took them long enough to finally do it. But it doesn't matter now because they finally reached that point. The point of no return but somehow with a clear vision of the future together.

When they parted, Jane's eyes fluttered open and Maura pressed her forehead against Jane's. They just stared at each other. Jane wrapped her arms around Maura's waist while Maura's hand are still cupping the detective's face.

"What was that for?" Jane asked as a smile was formed on her lips.

Maura smiled back then leaned her head forward to capture Jane's lips again. Feeling bold, Maura kissed Jane in a slow dance of kiss but still quick. When they parted for the second time, Maura traced Jane's perfectly shaped lips with her thumb.

"This is me Dr. Maura Isles saying that I'm choosing you Detective Jane Rizzoli over him. Over everything."

I so looooove the last part. Don't you guys? So far this is my fave chapter of all. So, bring me to life? LOL