A/N: I'm not doing so well with the quick updates am I? I'm sorry readers! But let me reassure you, I'll never abandon this story. Let's get to the action shall we?

End of previous chapter...

Jane and Maura exchanged worried glances.

Frost caressed his wife's head. "It's okay, baby. You were right. Jane and Maura are good people and I'm glad you said something. But now we have to get them out of here. That man you spoke to was not F.B.I."

"He wasn't?"

"No," Jane spoke up. "He was a hitman."

"Oh, my God. Jane, Maura I am so sorry," Anna cried, standing from the table.

As soon as Anna stood before them a red dot appeared on Anna's chest. Jane immediately recognized it as a laser from a sniper rifle. "Oh, fuck." Her eyes widened in alarm. "Everybody down!" Jane shouted. She sprung forward, tackling Anna to the ground. The intended bullet for the young woman struck the coffee pot, shattering the glass to pieces.

Kill & Collect

Chapter 8

Bullets rained throughout the kitchen and glass from the windows shattered and scattered to the tiled floor. Furniture, dishes, and cabinets were obliterated as bullets tore through them effortlessly. The non-stop shooting from all directions rang loudly in their eardrums as they ducked for cover.

After Jane tackled Anna to the ground, the smaller woman curled into the fetal position, covering her ears. The brunette lay beside her on her stomach, shielding herself from flying glass. Jane glanced in Maura's direction across the small room and saw that the blonde was flat on her stomach with her hands over her head. Through all the noise and chaos, Frost managed to crawl over to Jane and Anna. "I got her!" He yelled, shielding his wife. Jane nodded and moved away as Frost took a protective position over Anna.

Jane pulled herself across the floor with her forearms as quickly as possible, making her way over to Maura. The blonde looked up when she felt a hand grasp her forearm.

"I got you," Jane breathed as she reached the blonde. She thought she heard Maura say her name but it was hard to distinguish from the never ending pops of bullets over their heads. Jane got into position, placing half of her body over the blonde, shielding the top of Maura's head. Somehow, the blonde's hand found her own and they interlaced their fingers, holding on tight.

A few more seconds passed and then suddenly... the shooting stopped and it was deadly silent. Jane slowly raised her head, looking down at the blonde. "You okay?"

Breathing heavily, Maura slowly raised her head as well and turned slightly to look at the brunette. Their faces were only inches away from each other. "I… I think so…" Maura shakily replied.

"Jane, Maura this way!" Frost shouted under his breath.

Both women looked across the small space to see Frost and Anna on their hands and knees in the archway that connected the kitchen to the living room. Jane lifted herself off of Maura, allowing the other woman to get up.

"Go Maura," she whispered, allowing the blonde to crawl towards Frost first.

Remaining low, they all made their way into the living room on their hands and knees.

"Oh, my God," Anna breathed in a panic. "Who are they?"

"Assassins," Maura bluntly replied.

"And they're here because I…" Anna was practically shaking and Frost placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, baby." He then shoved aside a rug in the middle of the floor and his hand grabbed the handle of a small latch. He pulled, opening a secret door in the floor. Jane crawled a little closer and looked down. There was a ladder that stretched about five feet down into the small space. She looked at Frost questioningly.

"This tunnel that leads out to the barn," he quickly replied. "Anna, will lead the way," he said already helping his wife down into the floor. "I have a second truck stored out there."

With Anna safely below, Frost then helped Maura down the small ladder. "Be sure to find Korsak in the next town. He'll fly you out of the country. Just head North down the road and bare right at the fork."

Jane began to climb down the ladder after Maura but stopped midway at the phrasing of Frost's words. "You're not coming?" She questioned with a frown.

Anna stood beside Maura looking up lfrom the hole with a worried expression on her face. "Barry, you have to come with us. They'll kill you!"

"Baby, just take Jane and Maura to the barn," he calmly stated.

"Barry, no!" Anna pleaded.

"Frost, they're like an army out there," Jane added.

Determined light brown eyes looked the brunette dead in the eyes. "No one is scaring me out of my home."

"Let's check inside," A man's voice said.

They all looked towards the front door with alarm. Frost turned back to them. "There's no time. Go!"

All three women hesitated.

"Go! Damn it!" He yelled.

With tears in her eyes, Anna turned and began down the tunnel with Maura hot on her heels. Jane hustled down the rest of the way and looked up at the younger man. "I won't forget you, Frost. Thank you."

His eyes softened for a second but soon turned back into raw determination and strength. "Just stay safe, Jane. Thank you for saving my wife."

The brunette had to swallow the urge to tell him to come along and gave a swift nod in return. She then turned and disappeared within the depths of the tunnel. Frost gave one final glance after them before shutting the door behind them.

The dirt tunnel only seemed to be about five feet high so they had to cower slightly as they quickly made their trek. They soon reached the end and Anna reached above them. She turned a latched and pushed open a door, allowing a dim light to pour over them.

Anna moved aside, allowing Jane and Maura to go first. The two women climbed out of the hole and the brunette immediately turned to help Anna up the ladder. However, the other woman was not attempting to climb up.

"Anna, come on!" Jane called, with her hand outstretched.

Anna shook her head and took a step back. "I can't leave Barry. You two go, take care of each other."

"What?"

"Anna, don't!" Maura called, taking a step forward.

Anna gave a sad smile. "I'm sorry… about everything," the young woman said. She then turned and quickly disappeared back into the darkness of the tunnel.

"Anna! Anna, no!" Maura shouted after her. There was no reply.

Jane grasped the blonde's arm, pulling her back. "Maura, we have to go." Jane spoke with a hint of sympathy in her voice.

Maura let out a frustrated breath and allowed Jane to lead her towards the truck. They quickly hopped in and Jane reached for the ignition. No keys. "Shit." She began to frantically search inside the vehicle.

"This is a 1997 Mercedes-Benz G500 truck," absentmindedly stated.

"That's great, Maura," Jane muttered, distractedly. She flipped down the sun visor above her head and a single key fell into her lap. "Here we go." She quickly stuck it in the ignition and fired up the engine.

Suddenly, one of the heavy barn doors in front of the vehicle squeaked open. One of Hoyt's men carefully stepped inside and immediately spotted Jane and Maura sitting in the rumbling truck. All three sets of eyes widened and he turned back outside to alert the others. "In here!" He shouted.

A spark of adrenaline ran through Jane's body and instinct took over. She quickly shifted the gear and floored the gas. The man was preparing to fire his gun at them but thought better of it as the vehicle charged in his direction. He leaped out of the way as the large truck busted through the wooden barn doors. Bullets immediately flew at them from all directions, striking the truck in several spots.

"Stay down!" Jane shouted as she gained control of the vehicle.

Maura quickly leaned her head down in her lap and shut her eyes tightly. Jane noticed two black cars parked outside Frost's house and a few men were running towards the truck, taking aim. Jane charged the powerful vehicle through the dry yellowish grassy field and made a hard right as she reached the main road. She glanced over her shoulder and saw one of the black cars making chase. It was soon fishtailing onto the road, catching up.

Maura raised her head and looked out the back window of the truck. A man held half his body out of the vehicle behind them and aimed his weapon. He fired a few shots, causing Jane and Maura to cower slightly. The blonde quickly looked in Jane's direction. "Give me your gun."

"What?"

"Jane. Gun! Now!"

Jane glanced at her in surprise and saw that the other woman's eyes burned with an intensity she had never seen before. No longer wasting time, Jane leaned forward so her gun was visible, sticking from the back of her waistband. "Alright. Grab it."

Maura pulled the weapon from Jane's pants without hesitation and cocked the gun in preparation. She rolled down her passenger side window and poked her head out. She noticed there were only two men in the vehicle. One was driving while the other fired his gun at them. She quickly pulled herself back into the vehicle as the passenger side mirror was shot off.

"Jesus, Maura! Stay in the truck!"

"I know what I'm doing!" She shot back.

"Right." Jane weaved back and forth on the stretch of road, trying to throw off the aim of the man shooting at them.

The bullets ceased for a while and Maura leaned her head out the window again to look. The man was reloading his gun and Maura knew this was her only opportunity. She twisted her body around and balanced her knees on the seat as she leaned half of her body out the window. With one hand holding the gun and the other gripping the car, Maura aimed the weapon at her target. She fired a single bullet, striking the man in the chest. Jane looked in the rear view mirror and saw the man's body tense in pain before dropping back inside the black car. She looked at Maura in surprise then quickly turned her eyes back on the road. Maura took aim again knowing the job wasn't done. Closing one eye, Maura fired a second time. The bullet tore through the front right tire of the black car. The driver of the vehicle lost control and began to zigzag on the road. Suddenly, the car took a hard right and flipped over. Jane looked back once more and saw the car rollover several times before coming to a skidding halt on its top.

Maura climbed back into the car blowing out a breath. "Got 'em," she said, settling back into her seat. When she glanced at Jane the brunette was looking at her in disbelief. "What? I told you I know what I'm doing."

Jane knew in that moment if she had ever doubted that she was in the presence of Paddy Doyle's daughter she now had 100% confirmation.

Suddenly, an idea struck Jane and she slammed on the break, making a U-turn, going back the way they came.

Maura sat up in her seat, confused. "What are you doing?"

"I need to know where Hoyt is."

"What are you going to do? Ask them?" Maura questioned.

"I'm hoping to. If you left one of them alive that is."

Maura rolled her eyes. Jane pulled a few feet in front of the upside down vehicle and held her hand out to the blonde. "Gun."

Maura begrudgingly handed over the weapon and Jane stepped out of the truck. As she slowly approached the black car, she noticed the man that was in the passenger was now lifeless. His body was partly out of the shattered windshield, slumped over in an awkward position. She then stepped over to the driver's side, hearing small groans of pain. The driver was struggling to crawl out of the broken window. He got most of his body out of the vehicle and laid on his back, breathing heavily. There was a nasty gash on his forehead but he was still alive. When he heard footsteps approaching he went for the gun at his hip.

"Don't try it, buddy," Jane warned, training her weapon down at the man.

He retracted his hands and held them up.

"Tell me where is Hoyt stationed," she demanded.

He gave a small chuckle. "I'm… not telling you shit…" he breathed.

Jane squinted her eyes and looked at the man closely. "You," she hissed, immediately recognizing him. She bent down and sat the man up by yanking at his shirt collar. "You were at Maura's house the other night. I let you live you little shit. You owe me!"

He looked away temporarily, knowing Jane spoke the truth. She could have easily left him for dead, but instead put him to sleep. He looked at her once more and gave a swift nod of his head. "Okay..." he mumbled, shifting his body uncomfortably. "He mentioned something about being in the place where he first met you… to be closer to you or some shit, that's all I know."

Jane loosened her grip on his collar and looked off in deep thought. "Boston?"

"I guess. Look, just kill me now and get it over with. I've already failed him once and he's going to do it anyway..." he winced in pain. "…because of what I've told you."

Jane looked back down at the man. "He's killed a lot of us for disobeying him or not doing things his way and I'm done. That's why I'm taking him down. Enough is enough."

Maura watched the entire scene from the truck as she waited in the passenger seat. Jane was walking back to the car and that was when she saw it. The man pulled his gun out of the hip holster and aimed it at the brunette's back.

"Jane!" the blonde hollered, pushing the passenger door open.

The gun fired.

The brunette continued walking towards the truck and the man that fired the weapon was now dead with a self-inflicted gunshot to his head. Maura's heart was practically in her throat as she saw the scene unfold. Jane did not even flinch when the gun went off.

They got back into the truck together and all Maura could do was stare at the brunette. Jane wordlessly started the engine and backed the truck up. "We're going to Boston," Jane coldly stated.

Maura was too shocked to speak and did not even know what to say after seeing such an intense moment. They drove on in silence for another few minutes. Both of them allowed the last several hours to wash over them.

Suddenly, Jane's fist slammed against the hard stirring wheel with a heavy thud causing Maura to jump.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuuuuck!" Jane yelled as she simultaneously slammed her fists on the stirring wheel.

"Jane…"

"That should not have happened… Frost and Anna. They didn't deserve this. They didn't deserve to be dragged into our bullshit!"

"I know, Jane. I know…"

"Do you?!" She lashed out, gripping the stirring wheel until her knuckles practically turned white. "If you had just left Frost alone in the woods none of this shit would have happened!"

Maura jaw dropped slightly and she looked at Jane, stunned. "Excuse me?"

"But no…" Jane went on. "You had to go fucking talk to him and now he and his wife are probably dead!"

"Are you seriously blaming me for all of this?!" Maura shot back.

"Who else?!"

Maura took a second to look at the brunette, realizing what the other woman was saying. Her anger immediately bubbled to the surface. "How dare you?! How fucking dare you! You can't blame me for this!"

Jane shook her head as her lips pinched into a thin line. "We should have never gone to their house. Jane, they have a shower. Jane, they have food…" the brunette mocked. "It was a bad idea… but I was a fucking idiot and listened to you."

Maura breathed in a heavy breath through her nostrils, willing herself not to cry. The anger and frustration inside of her was tearing at her soul and she knew she had to get away; get away from Jane. "Stop the car."

Jane looked at Maura as though she were crazy. "No way."

"Stop the car, Jane!"

"No!"

Before Jane knew what was happening, Maura reached down and activated the emergency break with both hands. Jane tightened her grip on the stirring wheel as the car roughly skidded from left to right, eventually coming to an abrupt stop.

"Shit! What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Jane yelled.

But before Jane could finish the sentence, Maura had already opened the passenger side door and scrambled out of the truck.

"Maura!" She yelled after her, but the blonde took off running through a field of wheat that was alongside the road. "God damn it…" Jane grumbled as she hurriedly exited the vehicle. She ran after the blonde and caught up to her in no time.

"Maura, stop!" She grabbed the blonde's arm, pulling her back.

The blonde suddenly whirled on her and firmly squeezed the wound on Jane's shoulder, knowing exactly where to apply pressure. "Ahh!" Jane yelled at the stinging pain and shrank back.

Maura pulled out of Jane's loosened grip and took off running once again. The brunette cradled her now throbbing shoulder and looked after the woman for a second. That was a dirty move. Jane growled with rage and started after the blonde again. "Maura!" she yelled.

The blonde kept running. Her dress blew wildly in the wind with every stride of her legs. She felt hurt and betrayed. She thought she and Jane were in this together. How could Jane blame her for the endangerment and possible deaths of Anna and Barry?

Suddenly, her arm was grabbed again. Maura attempted to yank out of the vise grip to no avail. "Let go!" She quickly turned and attempted to deliver and right hook to Jane's face. The brunette ducked the punch and was able to catch the blonde around the waist from behind.

"Arrggh!" Maura screamed, trying to get out of Jane's grasp.

"Stop fighting me!" Jane growled.

Maura was not giving up that easy. As they struggled, she leaned her head forward for a moment and then forcefully snapped her head back. The blow struck Jane square in the nose. CRACK. "Ugh…" the brunette staggered back with a groan and temporarily brought her hand to the new injury.

Maura once again began to run but Jane quickly recovered. She caught up to the blonde and tackled her to the grass. "Get off me!" Maura screamed. Jane turned the blonde onto her back straddling her hips. She then pinned the blonde's hands above her head, immobilizing her.

Maura green eyes burned with anger and disdain. "I hate you! I hate you!" the blonde screamed in her face.

"Stop, Maura! Just STOP!" Jane shouted.

Maura seized her struggle and looked deeply into chocolate brown eyes. Then it hit her; the flood of emotion she was trying so hard to conceal. She let out a whimper and suddenly she was crying.

"Maur…" Jane softly began, allowing her anger to dissipate at the sight.

The blonde shook her head, unable to meet Jane's gaze. "You're right. It is my fault…" Maura said in small voice. "They're… they're dead because of me…" The blonde's tears sprang forward followed by some pained whimpers.

Jane shook her head. "No, no… hey… shhhh, listen. Maura… listen to me."

The blonde took a shaky breath trying to calm down. Her hazel eyes shimmered with tears, looking up at Jane. This was the most heartbreaking sight Jane had even seen and she was the cause of Maura's pain.

"It wasn't right for me to blame you," Jane softly spoke. "It's not your fault, not at all. Nothing that has happened is your fault, okay? I just got upset… I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry, Maura."

Maura sniffled and lowered her eyes. More tears fell.

"All I want to do is protect you." Jane said. "I lo… care about you… a lot."

The blonde raised her gaze and connected with sincere brown eyes. She caught Jane's slip but was distracted by something more pressing. "You're bleeding," she said.

Jane frowned. "What?"

"Your nose."

Jane leaned back on her knees and touched just below her nose. She looked at her fingers and indeed saw blood. "Shit." The brunette stood to her feet as did Maura.

The blonde reached her hand out to touch Jane's arm but stopped herself."Don't lean your head back. Just pinch the nostrils closed," Maura instructed.

Jane did as she was told, but delicately because there was pain when she applied pressure. She winced slightly.

"Come on," Maura said. "Let's see if there's anything in the truck to help stop the bleeding." Jane followed Maura without a word as they headed back to the truck.

The brunette was inspecting her throbbing nose in the side mirror of the truck as Maura came from around the vehicle with a cloth. "This was all I could find."

Jane took the cloth, sheepishly glancing at Maura. "Thanks." She dabbed at her nose, cleaning off the dry blood. "I think you broke my nose woman," Jane tried to joke. "Remind me to never upset you again."

Maura did not have the heart to even crack a smile as she stood a few feet away, looking over Jane's shoulder. She knew she had hurt the brunette but was not sure how badly. "May I take a look?"

Jane leaned away from the side view mirror and turned around. "Sure."

Maura stepped closer and gently grasped Jane's chin with her fingertips. Jane tried to keep her breathing normal as the blonde inspected her nose. "I'm afraid I've caused a hairline fracture to your nose." Their eyes met. "It's not disfiguring."

"Good to know. Can you pop it back in for me?"

"Yes, I can," the blonde nodded, matter-of-factly. "It'll hurt though."

"I've had worse."

Maura lightly ran a finger over the brunette's nose and swiftly pushed down, snapping the cartilage back in place.

"Ah!" Jane yelped as she shrank back. "That hurt," she murmured.

"I told you it would."

Jane twitched the muscles below her nose, testing the pain and it definitely felt better. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

They stood there a moment looking into each other's eyes. Both of them wanted to say something but neither knew where to start.

"Well… we better start heading to the next town and find that pilot," Maura said. "Possibly even get some ice for your nose so you don't look like Mike Tyson."

Jane chuckled lightly but winced at the stinging in her nose. They headed over to the truck and climbed inside, settling into their seats. Jane was about to start the engine but paused when her hand reached the key.

Maura noticed a few droplets of water hit the windshield and realized it was beginning to rain outside.

"Hey uh, Maur?"

"Yes."

"I am sorry, you know..." Jane's raspy voice quietly stated. The blonde looked at her and Jane was staring down at the steering wheel. A strand of her dark hair was obscuring part of her face. "I shouldn't have said all that stuff to you."

"Why did you?" Maura softly asked. It was not meant to be an attack or malicious; just a simple question.

Jane slowly shrugged. "I don't know. I guess… because in the end… this is all really my fault."

Maura instantly felt sympathy for the brunette. "Jane…" the blonde reached over and gently took the brunette's hand in her own. There clasped hands rested on Jane's thigh. "I would be dead right now if you had not stood up against Hoyt. You allowed me to live and you're risking your own life to save mine. I'm so grateful for that."

Jane looked down at their hands and nodded as her lip slightly twitched with a ghost of a smile. "Good." Jane gave Maura's hand a final squeeze and reached for the ignition, letting out a breath of relief. "Good." The brunette started the engine.

They were on the road once more, driving in a comfortable silence.

"Oh, I'm sorry about your nose," Maura stated.

The brunette let out a small laugh between her lips, causing Maura to looked at her quizzically. "What?" Maura smiled.

Jane shook her head and continued to laugh out loud. Soon Maura joined in and neither one of them was able to contain their laughter for the next few minutes.

A/N: Please let me know what you think guys! Much love! Again, sorry for the wait. I hope it was worth it.